| Explore | After researching, we have found that having trees on a strip of land between the sidewalk and the streets has benefits like increasing property value, improving air quality, conserving energy, reducing CO2 levels, and intercepting storm water. We observed that there was a rough correlation between tree size and the amount of benefits that the tree brought. |
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| Research Question | How do different tree leaves decay after being picked off the tree? |
| Predictions | A possible outcome of our study is that the leaves that are thicker will take longer to decompose. However, they will decompose at roughly the same amount and speed. If all of the leaves are in the same area and are the same surface area, they will decay at roughly the same rate, especially since all of the trees we are extracting leaves from are fruit trees. Since they're all living in the same environment (outside one person's house), the effects after the leaves are pulled off will be similar. |
| Experimental Design | Our plan is to find out how 3 different trees (lime, avocado, and cornstalk dracena) leaves decay after being picked directly off their respective tree. We will do this by picking 4 leaves off each tree directly from the branch, cutting them into squares, and inserting them into ziploc bags filled with plant food. We will observe the color and smell of the leaves and how many organisms/bugs there are. We will also see roughly what percent of the leaf changes to a color that may indicate decay. The variables that will be constant are the temperature, sunlight conditions, amount and type of dirt, location, moisture level, and size of the leaf. |
| Investigation Theme | TREE |
| Grade Level | High School Students (Grades 9,10,11,12) |
| Teacher Name | Crystal Davis |
| School Name | California Academy of Mathematics and Science |
| Session | Spring 2021 |