Module 1: Fundamentals of Biology

Topic 2 Application: Scientific Investigation Report

As you complete this scientific investigation, fill in any needed information on the report template. If you
need more information about each section of the report, please visit the Developmental Module.

Scientific Investigation Title: Does the amount of sunlight affect the growth of a plant?

Introduction

The sun is a renewable energy source that is crucial in our everyday lives, from warming up the earth to
making our planet habitable, it is a key part of our existence. But did you know that we are not the only
ones that need the sun? The sun also plays a vital role in the growth of plants. Without the sun, plants
wouldn’t be able to produce necessary foods that are needed for it to grow, reproduce, or even survive.
Without plants, the oxygen levels in the atmosphere would decrease, posing a risk to many forms of life,
including humans.

Plants need three basic things so survive: water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight. Plants need sunlight to go
through a process called photosynthesis, where the plant uses energy from the sun to convert carbon
dioxide and water into food. Without the sun, it wouldn’t be able to do this. Sometimes, plants grow in
places that receive different amounts of sunlight compared to other plants, which affects how the plant
grows. This has got many, including myself, wondering how the amount of sunlight affects the growth of
the plant, which is why this experiment is being conducted.

Objective

The purpose of this scientific investigation is to determine the effect of sunlight on plant growth.

Hypothesis

If the amount of sunlight that a plant receives is increased, then the plant-growth will increase.

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 Module 1: Fundamentals of Biology
Topic 2 Application: Scientific Investigation Report

Procedure

Develop procedures that will accurately test your hypothesis and answer the question in your experiment.
Record the procedures in the space provided below.

1. Gather all your materials, and place them somewhere near you.
2. Take 3 plastic cups, label them Plant 1, Plant 2, and Plant 3 and fill them roughly ¾ of the way
with the potting soil
3. Take a handful of seeds and sprinkle them around evenly throughout the top of the soil. Make
sure that each cup gets the same amount of seeds.
4. Place a thin layer of more potting soil over the seeds. Make sure that it is not a lot so the sprouts
can easily push through
5. Water each plant until the soil is moist
6. Place each plant in a different place
a. Place Plant 1 in a place with little to no sunlight, such as a cabinet or a shut drawer
b. Place Plant 2 in a place with partial sunlight, such as a counter in a kitchen that gets
some sunlight indirectly from the kitchen window.
c. Place Plant 3 in a place that receives constant sunlight, such as a window that receives
full sunlight or in a sunroom.
7. Observe the plants for at least 2 weeks, watering them with the same amounts of water daily.
8. Record the data of the growth and record any other observations.
9. After the 2 week period, repeat the same experiment 1 more time in order to remove errors that
may have occurred.

Variables:
Independent: amount of sunlight that the plant receives
Dependent: Growth of the plants
Constant: Amount of water fed to the plants, amount of seeds in each cup, amount of soil in each cup,
same type of seed in each cup.

Equipment and Materials

- 2 packet of any type of seeds (bean, basil, etc)

- Potting soil
- 1 small shovel or something to scoop the soil
- 1 watering can
- Someone to record data
- 6 plastic cups (all must be the same size)
- 3 different growing locations
- The first location receiving full sunlight
- The second location receiving partial sunlight
- The third location receiving little to no sunlight.

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 Module 1: Fundamentals of Biology
Topic 2 Application: Scientific Investigation Report

Data Collection and Analysis

This section will include all recorded data tables. You may also want to include observations in this
section.

Trial 1 Trial 2

Week 1 Week 2 Week 1 Week 2

Plant 1 1 cm 2 cm 2cm 3cm

Plant 2 4 cm 9 cm 5 cm 10 cm

Plant 3 5 cm 12 cm 5 cm 11 cm

- Plant 2 (partial sunlight) and Plant 3 (full sunlight) seem to be at nearly the same height for the
first week, but Plant 3 grows way taller by the second week.
- Plant 1 (no sunlight) is having a harder time growing than the other plants
- Data between all 3 weeks seems to be nearly the same, so very few errors were made.

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 Module 1: Fundamentals of Biology
Topic 2 Application: Scientific Investigation Report
Data Analysis

This section will include all presented data in graphs, or charts where valuable data will be analyzed.

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 Module 1: Fundamentals of Biology
Topic 2 Application: Scientific Investigation Report
Conclusion

Use the data and notes that you collected from your investigation to form your conclusion. Look back over
your hypothesis and decide if it was true or false. Make sure that you include information that you gained
from data analysis to support your conclusion.

In conclusion, my hypothesis that the plant that receives the most sunlight will be supported by the data
collected in the experiment, showing that my prediction was correct. Plant 3, or the plant that received the
full sunlight, was able to grow taller than the other 2 plants with an average height of 11.5 cm. Plant 2, or
the plant that received partial sunlight, was able to grow taller than Plant 1, but was smaller than Plant 3
with an average height of 9.5 cm. The plant that received no sunlight was able to grow the least (average
of 2.5 cm).

Experimental Sources of Error

Provide responses to the following questions: Are there any sources of error? If so, what are they,
and what could be done to minimize error?

Yes, there are sources of error that can occur when conducting this experiment. Some sources of error
that could occur are miscounting of seeds, too much water being fed to the plants, and clouds blocking
the sunlight. Some ways to minimize the first error would be to be patient and take your time when placing
the seeds. The second error can be minimized by not feeding too much water every day, but only a little
so that the soil stays moisturized. The 3rd error cannot be minimized because weather is not controllable,
and there is nothing that can be done to prevent the sun from being covered.