Author: Samantha Lambert

Name: __________________________________ Date: _____________________
What’s the Matter?
Part 1: How do you think plants grow?
After watching these video clips and drawing upon your own experience, where do you think plants get
their material to grow? Explain the reasoning behind your thinking.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. From our discussion, what are some things we think plants need to grow?
_________________________ ________________________ __________________________
_________________________ ________________________ __________________________
Part 2: Let’s conduct an experiment!
Class Question: _________________________________________________________________________
As a class, we will investigate 4 different growing conditions: (Circle the option to which your group has been assigned.)
Light & Water Light & No Water
Dark & Water Dark & No Water
Controls (variables you will hold constant):
__________________/__________________ __________________/__________________
__________________/__________________ __________________/__________________
3. We will grow our plants over the course of 3 weeks. Predict which growing conditions will allow the plant
to grow the most during this time. Make sure to explain your prediction using the factors you think affect
plant growth.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Soil amount

Light amount

Soil type

Water amount

Part 3: Data Collection
Use the scales to measure the mass of each part of the initial experimental set-up. Measure the mass to the nearest hundredth of a gram (g) and the plant height to the nearest centimeter (cm). Final measurements of the experimental set-up will be taken on Day 21.
Initial Measurements
Initial Measurements

Day 0	Radish 1	Radish 2	Pinto Bean 1	Pinto Bean 2
Mass of seeds
Mass of cups, towel, and bag
Mass of soil
Mass of water
Mass of entire set-up

Final Measurements (Take mass of entire set-up FIRST, then work down the list.)

Day 21	Radish 1	Radish 2	Pinto Bean 1	Pinto Bean 2
Mass of entire set-up
Mass of plants
Mass of cups, towel, and bag (same as initial)

Final Calculations

Mass of soil and water / To calculate: Mass of set-up — Mass of plants — Mass of cups, towel and bag

Time	My Group’s Radish 1	My Group’s Radish 2	Partner Group’s Radish 1		Partner Group’s Radish 2		Averages (Measurements only)
Day 0 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 3 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 5 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 7 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 10 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:

Data Collection: Experiment 1 Radishes Our group’s growing conditions: _______________________

*When taking measurements, only measure only the TALLEST plant in the cup.

Time	My Group’s Radish 1	My Group’s Radish 2	Partner Group’s Radish 1		Partner Group’s Radish 2		Averages (Measurements only)
Day 12 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 14 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 17 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 19 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 21 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:

Data Collection continued: Experiment 1 Radishes

*When taking measurements, only measure only the TALLEST plant in the cup.

Time	My Group’s Pinto Bean 1	My Group’s Pinto Bean 2	Partner Group’s Pinto Bean 1		Partner Group’s Pinto Bean 2		Averages (Measurements only)
Day 0 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 3 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 5 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 7 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 10 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:

Data Collection: Experiment 1 Pinto Beans Our group’s growing conditions: _______________________

*When taking measurements, only measure only the TALLEST plant in the cup.

Time	My Group’s Pinto Bean 1	My Group’s Pinto Bean 2	Partner Group’s Pinto Bean 1		Partner Group’s Pinto Bean 2		Averages (Measurements only)
Day 12 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 14 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 17 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 19 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 21 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:

Data Collection continued: Experiment 1 Pinto Beans

*When taking measurements, only measure only the TALLEST plant in the cup.

Part 4: Data Analysis
Use the graph below to plot your data. Graph only the average values for your and your partner group’s plants. Use a red pencil to plot the points for the radishes and a black or gray pencil to plot the points for the pinto beans. Fill in your group’s growing condition in the blank in the graph title.

Once you’ve graphed your data here, go to the Class Data file in Google sheets. You and your partner groups will input your data to create two graphs. One partner group will create the plant height graph and the other partner group will create the experimental set-up mass graph.

Part 5: Conclusions
4. How did the plant height for both plants change over time in the
light & water experiment?
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
5. How did the plant height for both plants change over time in the dark & water experiment?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. From this we can conclude ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
7. How did the plant height for both plants change over time in the light & no water experiment?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. How did the plant height for both plants change over time in the dark & no water experiment?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. From this we can conclude ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
10. In the cups that had water, what did you observe about the water level over the
course of 21 days?
___________________________________________________________________
11. Did the mass of the experimental set-up change over time for all experiments?
______________________________________________________________

12. The Law of Conservation of Matter says that ______________________ cannot be
________________________ nor _________________________.
13. From our experiment, we know that in some cases plants grew. Does this mean new matter was created
through the plant? YES NO
14. From our experiment, where do you think the plant got its material to grow, and why?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Part 6: Further Experimentation
Class Question: _________________________________________________________________________
As a class, we will investigate 4 different growing conditions over the next 3 weeks: (Circle the option to which your group has been assigned.)
Light & Air Dark & Air
Light & Little to No Air Dark & Little to No Air
Controls (variables you will hold constant):
__________________/__________________ __________________/__________________
__________________/__________________ __________________/__________________
15. Make a prediction about plant growth for each of these growing conditions. Which growing condition do
you think will allow the plant to grow the tallest? Will any of these growing conditions not allow a plant
to grow?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

(Circle one)

Soil amount

Light amount

Water amount

Container type

Part 7: Data Collection 2
Use the scales to measure the mass of each part of the initial experimental set-up. Measure the mass to the nearest hundredth of a gram (g) and the plant height to the nearest centimeter (cm). Final measurements of the experimental set-up will be taken on Day 21.
Initial Measurements

Day 0	Radish 1	Radish 2	Pinto Bean 1	Pinto Bean 2
Mass of seeds
Mass of towel and bag
Mass of water
Mass of entire set-up

Final Measurements (Take mass of entire set-up FIRST, then work down the list.)

Day 21	Radish 1	Radish 2	Pinto Bean 1	Pinto Bean 2
Mass of entire set-up
Mass of plants / To measure: Remove plants from towel using tweezers
Mass of towel and bag (same as initial)

Final Calculations

Mass of water / To calculate: Mass of set-up — Mass of plants — Mass of towel and bag

Time	My Group’s Radish 1	My Group’s Radish 2	Partner Group’s Radish 1		Partner Group’s Radish 2		Averages (Measurements only)
Day 0 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 3 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 5 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 7 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 10 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:

Data Collection: Experiment 2 Radishes Our group’s growing conditions: _______________________

*When taking measurements, only measure only the TALLEST plant in the cup.

Time	My Group’s Radish 1	My Group’s Radish 2	Partner Group’s Radish 1		Partner Group’s Radish 2		Averages (Measurements only)
Day 12 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 14 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 17 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 19 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 21 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:

Data Collection continued: Experiment 2 Radishes

*When taking measurements, only measure only the TALLEST plant in the cup.

Time	My Group’s Pinto Bean 1	My Group’s Pinto Bean 2	Partner Group’s Pinto Bean 1		Partner Group’s Pinto Bean 2		Averages (Measurements only)
Day 0 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 3 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 5 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 7 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 10 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:

Data Collection: Experiment 2 Pinto Beans Our group’s growing conditions: _______________________

*When taking measurements, only measure only the TALLEST plant in the cup.

Time	My Group’s Pinto Bean 1	My Group’s Pinto Bean 2	Partner Group’s Pinto Bean 1		Partner Group’s Pinto Bean 2		Averages (Measurements only)
Day 12 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 14 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 17 / (M)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 19 / (W)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:
Day 21 / (F)	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up: / Plant Height: / Observations:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:	Mass of Set-up:	Plant Height:

Data Collection continued: Experiment 2 Pinto Beans

*When taking measurements, only measure only the TALLEST plant in the cup.

Part 8: Data Analysis 2
Use the graph below to plot your data. Graph only the average values for your and your partner groups’ plants. Use a red pencil to plot the points for the radishes and a black or gray pencil to plot the points for the pinto beans. Fill in your group’s growing condition in the blank in the graph title.

Once you’ve graphed your data here, go to the Class Data file in Google sheets. You and your partner groups will input your data to create two graphs. One partner group will create the plant height graph and the other partner group will create the experimental set-up mass graph.

Part 9: Conclusions
16. Despite having no soil in Exp 2, we still observed plant growth in some cases. What does this tell
us about where plants get the material they need to grow?
______________________________________________________________________________
17. When we re-measure the mass of the soil from an Exp 1 plant, what should we expect to happen?
______________________________________________________________________________
18. Was our prediction correct? YES NO
19. How did the plant height for both plants change over time in the light & air experiment?
______________________________________________________________________________
20. How did the plant height for both plants change over time in the dark & air experiment?
______________________________________________________________________________
21. From this we can conclude _______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
22. How did the plant height for both plants change over time in the light & little to no air experiment?
______________________________________________________________________________
23. How did the plant height for both plants change over time in the dark & little to no air experiment?
______________________________________________________________________________
24. From this we can conclude _______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
25. Do the results from the plants in the dark in experiment 2 support our conclusions about plants in the
dark in experiment 1? YES NO

(Circle one)

(Circle one)

26. In Experiment 2, the water amount from Day 0 to Day 21 differed by ____________ g. This tells us that
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
27. In Experiment 2, the plants grown with little to no air had a small large mass difference as
compared to the plants grown with air. This tells us that ________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
28. From these experiments, we can conclude that plants get the materials they need to grow chiefly from
_______________________ and _____________________, and in order to maintain their growth, they
need to have access to ________________________.

(Circle one)

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