Using the Appleby library online, and the internet, I looked for science fair topics and ideas. After long hours of searching, I found an idea that I was interested in, and that had application to real life.

45 mins – September 20

I read the Science Fair Success booklet, and completed activities 1, 2 and 3

1 hour – September 26

I formulated my focus question, and briefly explained the type of experiment that I am going to carry out.

45 mins – October 4

I completed activity 5 in the Science Fair Success booklet including the 6 questions on page 11.

50 mins – October 10

I completed my final proposal. I filled in the hypothesis section.

3 hours – October 10

I started to search for the materials that would be needed for the experiment. I was able to obtain a growing light, and many different types of seeds. (Finding the packs of seeds was difficult, as most plant nurseries don’t sell them in October.)

1 hour – October 16

I worked on the first draft of my introduction.

1 hour – October 16

I researched on the online Appleby Library, on Encarta (a world wide encyclopedia), and on the Internet to gain a background on some important information that had to do with my topic. This step is necessary for any type of science fair project as you need to be able to explain your results.

45 mins – October 18

I completed activity 9 and 11 in the Science Fair Success booklet, and re-read pages 15 to 18 in the booklet.

20 mins – October 20

I reviewed handout #2 and pages 16 and 18 in the science fair success booklet before beginning M&M. 

1 hour – October 21

After the walkathon, I went to the Appleby Library, and looked in the encyclopedias for information relating to my topic. I photocopied many pages using the Appleby Printer.

3 hours – October 24

I completed the first draft of my materials and method. This was particularly difficult, as I did not have the method of an existing experiment (similar to mine) to follow. I also created a diagram of my experimental procedure.

1.5 hours – October 30

I started “trial one” of my experiment. Following my materials and method, I started the experiment at 9:00. Tomorrow, at 9:00, observations will be recorded. I am expecting that my results may be difficult to interpret. I will need to edit my method accordingly, in order to produce a more controlled experiment, with accurate results.

30 mins – October 30

While I was beginning my experiment, and going through the procedure, I noted some potential experiment errors. These potential errors were documented on my computer for future reference.

30 mins – November 1

Observations were recorded. As expected, my results were not straightforward. Over the long weekend, I will try to understand these results, and I may have to modify my method accordingly.

I will perform the experiment many times. Each time I will try to eliminate sources of error, or biases in the results.

30 mins – November 3

I conducted “trial two” of my experiment. There were 6 Petri dishes used in total, 3 containing vitamin E, and 3 containing a vitamin C. I wanted to see the effect of a smaller dose of vitamin C, and a smaller dose of vitamin E on seed germination. I realized that a large enough dose of the vitamin may be toxic to the seed germination, as in the last trial, vitamin C did not germinate at all.

Instead of dissolving the full effervescent tablet in 5ml of water, I dissolved only half of the tablet. I was hoping that this quantity would allow seed germination. Instead of using 400IU of vitamin E, I used 200IU.

15 mins – November 5

Observations were recorded. Again, no seed germination occurred.

1 hour – November 6

I was frustrated, as the seeds in vitamin C were not germinating. I researched on the internet, for possible explanations, and found none. However during this process, I discovered that the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C was only 75-90 mg. This may have influenced my results. I was using extremely high amounts of vitamin C, even when I dissolved only half of the tablet. Mathematical calculations were performed in order to determine the amount of water to dissolve the vitamin C (effervescent tablets) in to get close to the RDA concentrated in 5 ml.

1000 mg capsule ----- 50 ml of water

X mg -------------------- 5 ml of water

50X - 5000

X = 100 mg of vitamin C

By diluting the 1000 mg capsule of vitamin C in 50 ml of water, than 5 ml of that solution added to the Petri dish would contain 100mg of vitamin C (very close to the RDA).

Trial “three” of my experiment was performed, using three Petri dishes that contained 100mg of liquid vitamin C.

30 mins – November 8

Observations were recorded. Again no seed germination occurred. I may need to consult experts on my topic for possible explanations.

2.5 hours - November 14

The science fair folder was rearranged, and was organized properly. The materials and method section of my science fair were revised, not only according to the teacher’s revisions, but also due to the fact that it was fundamentally flawed in some parts. This was realized after the first few trials were conducted. A title page was also created on this date.

As well, a bean seed trial was started. It was noted that after only a few hours, the beans were starting to germinate.

30 mins - November 17

Results from the bean seed trial were recorded. The groups of Petri dishes that were saturated with vitamins germinated no seeds. It was noted that the Petri dishes were completely dry. There wasn’t enough solute content in these Petri dishes for germination to occur (5cc vs. 10cc in the others).

As well, another bean seed trial was started. This trial was conducted in order to prove the assumption above; that the bean seeds in the Petri dishes that were saturated with vitamins germinated no seeds due to a lack of solute content.

Three Petri Dishes were used in this trial in total. One was saturated with vitamin E, one with vitamin A, and the last one with Hydrogen peroxide. In these trials, 5 ml of water was added in addition to what was normally in the Petri Dishes.

10 mins – November 20

Results from the trial above were recorded. This time, with the addition of the 5 ml of water to the Petri Dishes, the bean seeds germinated.

30 mins – November 21

Another trial was conducted, this time using Cherry Belle Radish Seeds.

35 mins – November 24

Results from the trial stated above were recorded. There was one small setback with the results of the seeds in Vitamin C.

Even though the dose of Vitamin C was altered to accurately reflect the RDA in humans, the process of germination for these seeds was much slower.

Although Vitamin C actually germinated the seeds (unlike before), the seeds sprouted only a small root. There were also small areas of mold. The seeds in the other Petri dishes had more advanced germination, with longer roots, and even small leaves.

I searched for possible explanations on the internet, and found one that would explain this discrepancy.

It stated that when exposed to air, vitamin C solution undergoes oxidation and becomes not only ineffective but also potentially harmful (oxidized vitamin C may increase the formation of free radicals).

There was nothing that I could do to fix this problem. Various companies that manufacture skin products are struggling with this problem as well.

30 mins – November 25

A trial was conducted with bean seeds.

10 mins – November 28

Observations and results were recorded from the trial above.

20 mins – November 30

A trial was conducted with bean seeds.

10 mins – December 2

Observations and results were recorded.

30 mins – December 5

Another trial was conducted with radish seeds.

10 mins – December 8

Observations and results were recorded.

40 mins – December 12

All of the sources (internet and book) that were used for this experiment were put into the required format. This was especially difficult, as originally, I had only saved the links to the websites that I used. During this time, I had to revisit all of these websites to collect the other information that was needed.

20 mins – December 20

Another trial was conducted, this time using bean seeds.

10 mins – December 23

The results of the trial above were recorded.

30 mins – January 2

A trial was conducted using radish seeds.

20 mins – January 5

The results of the trial above were recorded.

30 mins – January 7

Another trial was conducted using radish seeds.

20 mins – January 10

Observations and results were recorded.

1 hour – January 12

All of the observations and results collected throughout the experiment were displayed nicely in both a table, and a graph. These tables and graphs included the 4 bean seed, and 4 radish seed trials.

All of the numerous other trials were not included, as they were rough, preliminary results which were used to discover discrepancies in the experiment.  After performing these rough trials, research was conducted to find out what went wrong, how it went wrong, why it went wrong, and how it could be fixed. In each of these rough trials I tried to eliminate sources of error, or biases.

As well, during this time, I created a written summary of the results.

1 hour – January 14

During many of the trials, pictures were taken on a digital camera. At this time, all of the pictures were enlarged, titled and printed using HP Photo Editor. Having no experience with this program, it took a long time to finish the pictures.

1 hour – January 16

I worked briefly on the discussion and conclusion of my experiment. Having analyzed and interpreted my results throughout the various stages of my project, this part was made easier.

35 mins – January 18

I completed my discussion and conclusion.

45 mins – January 19

I completed my applications and sources of error.

35 mins – January 26

I completed the abstract of my experiment. It is a bit long, and will likely need to be shortened in the future.

During this time, I also added a couple of sources to my references.

6 hours – Weekend of the 12-13 (February)

My abstract was shortened. My oral presentation was prepared and memorized. Diagrams of my experimental procedure were created using Microsoft paint and Adobe Photoshop.

The display board was completed. This process was very difficult, as it had many parts. I first went and bought the materials which I would need. The display board, blue spray paint, colored sheets of paper (to form borders), and silver lettering were purchased. I then spray painted the board blue, resized the font, printed and cut the sheets which would go on the board, cut the colored sheets of paper (to form borders), glued the two together, pasted them on the board, and formed the title. This process involved a lot of “trial and error” as it was difficult to fit all of my work on the display board, without drastically minimizing the font size.

3 hours - Week of the 14^th

My presentation was memorized throughout this week.