| Explore | I am part of the Putnam Valley Science Research program, so I have had many chances to explore different scientific pathways, including invasive species, ballast tank treatment, the treatment of zebra mussels to control the population and reduce invasive damage. Along with conducting research and writing a paper on caffeines impacts on Dragonfly nymphs, mosquito larvae, and virile crayfish. |
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| Research Question | How will different colors of light affect the rate of photosynthesis? |
| Predictions | green and yellow/orange light will have the slowest rates of photosynthesis because they are reflected by the pigments in the plant. |
| Experimental Design | Materials: Hole puncher Leaves 4 lamps 2 to 3 syringes (without needles) Liquid soap White index card Water White, red, blue (or purple), and green light bulbs. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) 4 clear plastic cups Timer Pipette Ruler Graduated cylinder Procedure: a 2 mL solution of baking soda was prepared for each cup being tested, that will serve as a source of CO2. The bicarbonate solution was poured into 4 plastic cups to 3 cm, each cup labeled with the color of light that will be tested. One drop of liquid soap was added to the solution on each cup with the use of a pipette. 10 or more uniform leaf disks were cut for each cup with the use of a hole puncher (major leaf veins were avoided). The gases were drawn out of the leaves and they were infiltrated with the sodium bicarbonate solution (using the leaf disk flotation method). The disks and the solution from the syringe were poured into the appropriate clear plastic cup. Each cup was placed under the light that was being tested and a timer was started, so that at the end of each minute, the number of floating disks were recorded. All findings were recorded. |
| Conclusion | |
| Investigation Theme | POS |
| Grade Level | High School Students (Grades 9,10,11,12) |
| School Name | Putnam Valley High School |
| Session | Fall 2017 |