What is the best lettuce cultivar for Mr. Shubel's 4th grade class lunch?
2) RESEARCH
There are many different lettuce cultivars
Different cultivars are used for different things
Different cultivars have differences in leaf color, size, shape, etc.
Click here to see more information on the six (6) lettuce cultivars you will be growing.
3) HYPOTHESIS
I predict all lettuce cultivars will not grow the same.
I predict all lettuce cultivars will not taste the same.
Briefly explain your thinking:
We think that they all will not grow the same because they are all different types of lettuce. We think that they will not taste the same, also because they are different types of lettuce.
4) DESIGN EXPERIMENT
Plant six lettuce cultivars: DATE: October 4, 2016
Camino Verde
Rio Bravo
Ridgeline
Green Star
Red Zin
Tropicana
All lettuce cultivars were planted in the same size containers (5" diameter, green pots).\\
All lettuce cultivars were planted in the same soil (standard greenhouse potting media).
All lettuce cultivars were given the same fertilizer.
All lettuce cultivars were watered the same days, time and amount.
All lettuce cultivars were grown in the greenhouse under the same environmental conditions (light, temperature...).
The seed is very dark brown and 20 seeds is about the size of your fingernail.
Visit 2:
5) COLLECT DATA
To determine the "best lettuce" we are going to measure four things:
Plant height: Tallest would indicate best because it would produce the most leaves for our school lunch.
Leaf Quality: The leaves that look the best are the ones we are most likely to eat.
Nutrition: We would like the most nutritious lettuce.
Taste: We want the lettuce that tastes the best.
Notes:
Plant Growth. How tall are your plants?
CLICK HERE to enter your plant height data. (One student per group should enter this data.)
Leaf Description: What do the leaves look like?
Date
Describe the overall leaf shape
Describe the edge of the leaf
Describe the leaf color
Add photos of your lettuce leaf here:
Visit 3:
Leaf Quality Evaluation:
1 = Unacceptable - Leaves brown, shriveled, dying
2 = Poor - Leaves have some dead / brown spots
3 = Average - Leaves look OK, but are nothing special
4 = Good - Leaves appear healthy, good color and no damage
5 = Outstanding - Leaves look GREAT! Just looking at these leaves makes you want to eat them!
CLICK HERE to enter your Leaf Evaluation data. (One student per group should enter this data.)
CLICK HERE to enter your nutrition data. (One student per group should enter this data.)
Taste Evaluation:
1 = Terrible - Disgusting! I need to spit this out!
2 = Poor - I didn't spit it out, but I don't want to eat it again!
3 = Average - Not bad, not great, either
4 = Good - I would eat this again (maybe with a little ranch dressing)
5 = Outstanding - I LOVE the flavor. I will definitely eat this again!
CLICK HERE to enter your taste data. (Each student enters data here.)
6) EXPLAIN DATA
So... what does all your hard work tell you? What does it all mean?
Here are a couple of questions to guide your thoughts: Look back at your hypothesis. Now look at your data. Does your plant growth data support your hypothesis about lettuce cultivar growth? Explain why it does or does not.
Does your taste data support your hypothesis about lettuce cultivar taste? Explain why it does or does not.
Next let's decide which Lettuce cultivar is the best for Mr. Shubel's 4th grade class lunch:
Look carefully at this data summary table. Consider your Height, Quality, Nutrition and Taste data.
Overall, using all the data you have: What is the overall best lettuce cultivar for Mr. Shubel's 4th grade class lunch? Explain why you think that.
7) ASK NEW QUESTIONS
Based on everything you did and thought about, what new questions do you have? What should the next Lettuce Cultivar experiment be?
Best Lettuce Experiment
Visit 1:
Group:
Scientists:Meabh, Madi, Emma, Cole
1) ASK A QUESTION
What is the best lettuce cultivar for Mr. Shubel's 4th grade class lunch?2) RESEARCH
3) HYPOTHESIS
Briefly explain your thinking:
We think that they all will not grow the same because they are all different types of lettuce. We think that they will not taste the same, also because they are different types of lettuce.
4) DESIGN EXPERIMENT
The seed is very dark brown and 20 seeds is about the size of your fingernail.
Visit 2:
5) COLLECT DATA
To determine the "best lettuce" we are going to measure four things:Notes:
Plant Growth. How tall are your plants?
CLICK HERE to enter your plant height data. (One student per group should enter this data.)Leaf Description: What do the leaves look like?
Add photos of your lettuce leaf here:
Visit 3:
Leaf Quality Evaluation:
CLICK HERE to enter your Leaf Evaluation data. (One student per group should enter this data.)
Nutrition Evaluation:
Camino Verde Green Star Ridgeline Red Zin Rio Bravo Tropicana
Nutrition Evaluation:
CLICK HERE to enter your nutrition data. (One student per group should enter this data.)
Taste Evaluation:
CLICK HERE to enter your taste data. (Each student enters data here.)
6) EXPLAIN DATA
So... what does all your hard work tell you? What does it all mean?
Here are a couple of questions to guide your thoughts:
Look back at your hypothesis. Now look at your data.
Does your plant growth data
support your hypothesis about lettuce cultivar growth? Explain why it does or does not.
Does your taste data
support your hypothesis about lettuce cultivar taste? Explain why it does or does not.
Next let's decide which Lettuce cultivar is the best for Mr. Shubel's 4th grade class lunch:
Look carefully at this data summary table. Consider your Height, Quality, Nutrition and Taste data.
Overall, using all the data you have: What is the overall best lettuce cultivar for Mr. Shubel's 4th grade class lunch? Explain why you think that.
7) ASK NEW QUESTIONS
Based on everything you did and thought about, what new questions do you have?What should the next Lettuce Cultivar experiment be?
Ask your questions and post your experiment ideas on your Best Lettuce Experiment Wonder Wall