Info
| Explore | We know they perform photosynthesis and that they are the predominant supplier of Oxygen. We’re interested in learning how trees and other plants grow. |
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| Research Question | How do different layers of mesh surrounding a container of 9 algae beads affect the rate off photosynthesis? |
| Predictions | The first of results that could occur would be that none of our algae beads undergo photosynthesis. This would be a result of ineffectual light, accidental denaturation of the algae bead cells, expired indicator, or a plethora of mishaps. Another possible result is that all of the algae beads... |
| Experimental Design | We plan to complete our experiment over the course of 2 days using tape, scissors, a syringe, a scoopula, algae beads, a tray, plant containers, container lids, mesh, a light source and pH indicator. All of these materials are pictured in the “Files” section of our project. The 1st step in our... |
| Conclusion | We can conclude from our experimental results that the more layers of mesh placed around a container of algae beads, the lower the rate of photosynthesis. In a more universal sense, this meant that the more light being shone on a plants, the higher the rate of photosynthesis is. Although our... |
| About this Project | This project deserves strong consideration for a Star Project award because of the group's exceptional emphasis on real-world applicability. They wanted to investigate the effect of eutrophication caused by algae blooms on freshwater plants but quickly realize that if they added algae to their... |
Updates
Well Evelyn…We knew this time would come. We have found the Truth. The more layers of mesh placed around a container of algae beads, the lower the rate of photosynthesis that occurs. Who woulda’ guessed? Well Evelyn you were a real great mentor were gonna miss you. Have a Nice Life!
Hey Evelyn,
Our website as of now should be done...if you have any critiques or advice please do share!
Hello Colin and Neel, so sorry that I missed some of your last updates, it is the last week of school for me over here and I have been quite overrun by final papers and tests and such! Anyway, your guys' project looks great, I have no critiques to share :) I can tell you guys really enjoyed the project, and I loved hearing about your story as you searched for the Truth! If you enjoy science and research, there are tons of opportunities to learn more online and I encourage you to look at them and keep your curiosity about the subject alive. I hope y'all have a great rest of the school year and thank you for sharing your journey with me!
Hey Evelyn,
My teacher told me there was a section to place the sources we used for research purposes. Should I just add all of the links to this conversation or is there a separate spot for that? Also see previous update about star projects.
Very nice graph, you can really see that the lack of light for the algae made the water way more acidic!
Hey Evelyn,
Me and Neel are working on finishing up the information section of our project page. Do you have any recommendation of how we should go about this process or specific things to include that would improve our chances of getting a star project? If so let us know! Also I don’t know if you saw our Nov. 28 10:09 A.M update but that was a crucial step in The Search for Truth. Signing off for now!
Do you, Evelyn, happen to know how/if I can change the title of the photos in the “Files” section of our project? Right now they are just random letters and I would like them be easier to identify for the evaluators.
You have to change the name of the pictures before you upload them. If you are uploading from a phone I am not sure how to do that, but on a computer you should be able to just rename the file to whatever you would like to name it and then upload it from there.
Hello Miss Evelyn,
Today we collected our final piece of data, the single layered container. This reaction, as we expected, went the same way as the container with zero layer of mesh due to both containers having no lack of light exposure. This now concludes our experiment and data collection phases so we will now work on finishing up our website and drawing conclusions. Do you have have any recommendations of good science magazines or online resources we could use to find more information about eutrophication?
“I see, like the fetus of a mother, the formation of a beautiful, truthful entity. The Truth slowly reveals itself as a marvel of the natural world,” the Overseer said.
Evelyn,
I know it has been a while since we updated you, but now it’s getting late and I’ve been sipping on my lemonade long enough for you not to be filled in. We had an mis-trail last week. This is why we did not make contact last week, for we didn't want to lay this upon you before Thanksgiving festivities. Unfortunately the container with one layer of mesh was unwrapped overnight and thus reacted the same way as the container with no mesh. This is why there are only 5 containers in our results photos even though we tested six, and also why our fingers are crossed we have a photo tomorrow to send of how our si container with a single layer of mesh reacts. Enjoy our partial results and we will fill in the missing data tomorrow!
“Lack diversity, can one ever know truth? No, good friend, obstacles are inherent to The Search for Truth”, the wise man grunted. Never had he ever been wrong.
No worries about setbacks in your project, stuff like that happens all the time, especially in science labs! I have done hundreds of tests that haven't worked out and experienced a lot of setbacks that happened because of accidents or unforseen circumstances. It's all part of the experience, congrats you're real scientists! Keep trucking and I'll be here waiting for the results and to answer any of your questions!
Evelyn,
Today was a big day in The Search for Truth. As of today we have set up our experiment and are comfortably in the observing and recording phase! Today, using the materials in the 5th photo from the bottom in the “Files” section of this website, Neel and I placed 9 algae beads in 5 different containers along with 2 mL of activation solution. The 4th and 5th photos from the bottom show an empty container, a container with 9 beads and 2 mL water (which was later replaced with activation solution), and a container with 9 beads, 2 mL activation solution, and one layer of mesh. After all 5 containers had 9 beads and 2 mL solution, I wrapped them in various amounts of mesh (ranging from 0-4 layers) to mirror the various degrees of eutrophication severity. This can be seen in the 6th photo from the bottom. After this a fellow scientist from another class stopped by so we took a selfie which can be seen in the 1st photo from the bottom. After this, as seen in the 3rd photo from the bottom, we evenly placed all 5 containers under a light source. Now we observe.
Glancing up at the stars as the two boys whispered, “And so it goes. The Search For Truth continues.”
Yay!! This experiment looks super fun, the beads of algae are so cute Looking at the effects of eutrophication is a super interesting and relevant experiment to do, as it can become a huge problem in all different kinds of bodies of water, from streams to oceans. Thanks for the awesome photos and I am super excited to see what results you guys find in your Search for Truth!!
Welcome to The Search for Truth, Shan.
Hey Evelyn! Colin and I are reaching out to let you know we have decided on our research question! We will be studying how varying degrees of light affect photosynthesis. We landed upon this question because we originally wanted to study how varying degrees of fertilizer effect plant growth to mirror the excessive amount of agricultural fertilizer polluting the world ocean, when realizing that this was too long term of a question, we shifted to how varying degrees of algae (the harmful effect of fertilizer) effect photo synthesis but then after realizing the algae would experience photosynthesis as well we landed upon our final question. It serves as a ‘simulation’ to our original question and we can’t wait to get started and update you!
”And so,” they said on the day they embarked “The Search for Truth begins.”
Sounds like a great question and I'm so glad you guys went through a couple different iterations of the question because that is what really happens a lot of time even in bigger studies! A lot of the time, questions would be really cool or interesting to study but they just aren't feasible and it's great that you guys were able to see that and roll with it and come up with something that is both possible and exciting to study. I am so excited to see what your project leads to as well!
What’s up team!
We just completed a lab where we studied the impact of Carbon Dioxide on photosynthesis in spinach leaves. We had three cups with baking soda, air from one of us breathing into it, and just plain ol’ water. We found that only the leaves with baking soda and breath in it had the leaves ride to the top after a period of ten minutes, proving that CO2 is instrumental in photosynthesis. I just have one question left! If you could be a plant, which one would you be?
The search for truth continues.
Hi Neel! Great question, I have never thought about that before. I think I would want to be Leucophyllum frutescens (aka Texas sage) because it is native to my home area in Texas, and it is known to bloom with gorgeous light purple flowers right before it rains. It also attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, so I would love if I could attract and be able to feed those pollinators because I love to look at them!
Hello everyone!
It is great to hear from everyone, especially the students.
I am serving as a liaison here. I will be helping all of you with your issues and problems.
I am a Botanist and serve as a Professor of Biology at the University of South Carolina Sumter. I love plants! My research is on environmental stress, pathogenic interaction, and other stresses on plant ultrastructure and physiology. I am also a dedicated gardener. I am trying to switch to a plant-based diet as well, and am in the process of learning more about the phytochemicals present in old traditional herbal medications.
I wish all of you a very successful project!
Hello team!
I'm Evelyn and I am currently in my last semester of my Bachelor's degree in Environmental Biology. Right now I work in a lab studying the genetics of the Alaskan plant Tussock Cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum). I do this by amplifying the specific gene I am studying and then sequencing it so I can see the genetic code and compare these codes between plants.
My favorite plant is a skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) because they are able to create their own heat to melt the snow around them and grow in the winter, which is so cool. They also look crazy, I recommend googling them when you have a chance. Let me know if you guys have any questions as I would be happy to answer them and I look forward to working with everyone!
My name is Colin, my favorite subject in school is English, my favorite hobbies are playing guitar and reading, I don’t know much of anything about plants
I also love reading! My favorite books are fantasy. I'm excited to learn more about plants with you guys1