“Will microgravity affect the growth/germination of lettuce seeds?”

FishHawk Creek Elementary, Hillsborough County Public SchoolGrade Level: 5 Title: Will Microgravity Affect The Growth/Germination Of Lettuce Seeds?Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5 to ISSCo-Principal Investigators: Miranda Corbo, Srinidhi Raghavan and Isabelle Utsler Teacher Facilitator: Mary VaughnAbstract: The purpose of the experiment is to observe the effect of microgravity on the growth/germination of lettuce seeds. Our experiment will measure for the rate of the germination of lettuce seeds. Seed germination is so critical and not very well understood in microgravity. Lettuce and other vegetables will expand the in-orbit food capabilities and will allow for astronauts to have fresh food.

Our E.Q./ Project TimelineHow many seeds will germinate in

microgravity vs. on Earth?Timeline

• (September 2013) The team came together and brainstormed an idea.

• (November 2013) The team perfects and proposes their project idea.

• (December 2013) The team finds out that their project was selected.

• (January- June 2014) The team perfects and works on Earth based data.

Ground Truth Data

• January 2014:Lettuce seeds grown • Trial 14/10 lettuce seeds germinated• Trial 26/10 lettuce seeds germinated

More Ground Truth Data Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

5/23 12 seeds placed 12 seeds placed 12 seeds placed

5/24 8/12 seeds germinated

Sprayed 12 times and 9/12 seeds germinated

6/12 seeds germinated

5/25 Sprayed 9 times and small sprouts sighted

Sprayed 12 times and small leaves and roots sighted

Sprayed 6 times and small leaves and roots sighted

5/26 Sprayed 9 times and sprouts are bigger

Many more small leaves visible

Sprayed 6 times and roots and leaves bigger

5/27 Sprouts are very large and small leaves sighted

Stems are about 1 inch long and the roots leaves are much bigger

Moist enough and the roots and the sprouts are very large

5/28 All seeds have germinated

All seeds have germinated

All seeds have germinated

Lettuce Seeds Paper Towel

Even More Ground Truth Data

In our FELT trial 18 out of approximately 205 lettuce seeds did not germinate. Also, approximately 185 lettuce seeds did germinate.

In our HYDROPONICS GEL LAB trial 6 out of 30 lettuce seeds did not germinate. But 24 lettuce seeds did germinated.

Skype video conference withKennedy Space Center Scientist

Dr. Gioia Massa – Veggie 01

May 13, 2014

Pictures

Thanks to our sponsors: SunCoast Credit Union and the Florida Space Consortium.Thank You to SSEP, NanoRacks and Hillsborough County Schools for their support. Much appreciation to our families who made it all possible.