Experiment
Set-up

The steps below describe how to set up a single replicate for each of 5 experimental conditions. Each student should complete three replicates in total*. Consequently, you set up everything below in triplicate.

Each team member should do to the following:

1. Obtain a set of 4 pots, and put a piece of tape on each pot. Give each pot its own number so you can keep track of your treatments.

2. Fill each pot with pre-moistened vermiculite until the vermiculite comes to within 1 cm of the top. To settle the vermiculite, you can tap the bottom of the pot on the table a couple of times.

3. We will be using corn and peas for this experiment. Each team member will need to plant the following 5 seed combinations:

a. 8 corn seeds (Zea mays)

b. 2 corn seeds

c. 8 pea seeds (Pisum sativum)

d. 2 pea seeds

Do your best to space the seeds evenly in the pot. Notice that each species will wind up experiencing low and high amounts of interspecific and intraspecific competition.

4. Cover the seeds and top off the pots with more vermiculite. Try to avoid compacting the vermiculite and instead settle it in place by tapping the bottom of the pot on the table again.

5. Put the pots into a small tray – you can put more than one pot into a tray. Fill the tray with water to a depth of 1-2 cm. Deionized water is preferable if available.

6. Place the trays in an area that receives as much sun as you can manage – a south- or east-facing window is ideal, but do the best you can given your circumstances. If you're working on campus, note that there are light stands available in the ecology lab (same key code as our lab room).

7. Check on all plants every day and do the following:

a. Replenish water in the weigh boat as needed.

b. Turn each pot 90 degrees so a different side is facing towards the window.

c. Reposition each pot so it is in a different tray location.

It is a good idea to create a checklist for yourself so you remember to check your plants every day. Also plan to include some brief qualitative and quantitative observations each day when you check your plants (e.g. “3 corn plants germinated so far in pot # 2”). Another qualitative observation to look for is whether you notice any examples of “tillering,” where a plant has produced side shoots from the base of its stem.

Next: Collecting Data

Team Check-In Meeting Midway Through the Pilot Experiment

At the end of the first week, arrange a time to meet face-to-face as team. Your choice whether that’s in person, Zoom, Google Meet, conference call, or something else -- but IT CANNOT BE A TEXT CHAIN OR GROUP CHAT! You must actually be able to speak to each other!

At your check-in meeting, you should accomplish the following things. You'll be uploading your notes and answering a few questions in the Pilot Check-in: Team Assignment in Canvas

Sharing Observations

1. Choose one person to take notes in their lab notebook.

2. Each team member should describe what they have observed from their experiments so far.

   • Did anything surprising happen?

   • Were there any challenges that came up? If so, were they able to resolve the problems? If not, what steps need to be taken next? Should this be brought up in your meeting with me?

   • Would it be useful to repeat or redo any aspects of the experiment? If any aspects are redone, what changes will be made?

Team Sharing & Assignment

1. Upload your discussion notes to Canvas (if notes were handwritten, upload a photo)

2. Answer the Team Assignment questions in Canvas

3. Schedule your team meeting with me

4. Every student should write any decisions made at the meeting down in their own lab book. Take a photo of your personal notes and upload it to Canvas.