Student Names: Aziz, Mariam, Ilija, Osama
Our goal was to determine what soil composition on mars would allow for maximum number of germinations. We used tomato plants in both martian and earth soil with many different amounts of fertilizer to see what the maximum germinations can be.
We did this for find the best fertilizer amount for the plants to germinate. This would hep us in terraforming mars because it would give us the fastest rates for the plants to grow. We used miracle grow fertilizer.
After one week we added different amounts of miracle gro fertilizer to both martian and earth soils ranging from 1/8 of a teaspoon to 3/8 of a teaspoon of fertilizer, and then recorded the number of germinations after one week. Meaning the experiment lasted a total of two weeks.
In grade 9 science we learned about the scientific method. This was probably the most useful lesson applied in our experiment. The aim of our experiment was to determine the amount of fertilizer in martian soil that would allow for the maximum amount of germination. We started out with a question - how does martian soil composition(in terms of amounts of fertilizer added) impact the number of germinations in tomato plants. We then designed our experiment, and collected the raw data. We then analysed the data and came to a conclusion( 1/4 of a teaspoon of fertilizer is the optimal amount). This is important because it would allow us to change the soil composition on mars accordingly so that plants could grow the most.
Include your Instagram post/images of your science fair board.
Pitch a next phase for your project.
The next phase of this project is seeing when would be the most suitable time to add in the fertilizer. When would the fertilizer have the most effect on making the plant grow the most. As well as why the plants germinated, but died right after.
Inspire a future group of students to pick up where you left off.
I think this project is a very important one because it tells us lots of things if we are able to continue this project I think it can tell us lots about Mars and how we can live sustainably their
Why is this an important cause? Why should they continue with it?
This is an important cause because if we were to move to mars it would help us in many ways. For example it would help us get fresh food on Mars, as well as give us lots of resources. They should continue this experiment so that we can see if it actually is possible to make Mars more Earth-like, or at least have the same resources that we need to live with.
Where would you like to see it go next.
I think I would want to see how this project could help other project become howl in a way. I feel as if everything is connected in a way. To find the next piece of the puzzle. I would like to see if we can actually grow plants that can thrive because that plants that we planted didn't live long enough to actually get tomatoes from it.
(Ilija) I have learned a few things from this project, for example while doing research on plant growth in martian soil I learned that martian soil is actually very poruis and granular- more like sand than soil on earth. The martian soil contains no organic compounds and due to its sandy nature does not trap water very well. Worst of all(for plant growth) martian soil contains families of toxic compounds called Perchlorates as well as elemental chlorine(which is also toxic). I also learned that martian soil is a reddish-orange color because it has a lot of iron oxide(rust). Despite its toxicity martian soil does in fact contain several nutrients that help plants grow such as phosphorus and nitrogen as well as potassium.
(Aziz) During this project I have learned that martian soil is denser than earth soil. This can make it hard for the plants to germinate. I also found out that real martian is toxic. This also can affect plants in a negative way. After time once we finished the experiment we found out that 1/4 of fertilizer is the optimum amount for plants to germinate. Martian soil isn't all bad since it also has benefits for plant growth like potassium.
(Mariam) During this project I have learned many things, not just the experiment itself, but also from my teammates. Some things that I have learned is that it is always important to do some background information on the things that you want to do as well as read the assignment details. I learned that the best amount of fertilizer to put in martian soil as well as earth soil is 1/4 fertilizer that was when we had the most germination. I also learnt that when you are watering the plants inside the martian soil you need to add a bite more because it doesn't absorb as well as earth soil does. I also learnt about the toxic chemicals that are found in the martian soil and that is why the best amount of fertilizer was 1/4 so that it can get all the nutrients that it is lacking from the martian soil.
Osama- During this project I learned how to design a garden for the plants and what do we need to do to grow them in the best sustainable way and i learned new information about mars and its conditions and the different soil from earth I also learned that i need to be better guy with my group and do my work.