SEMESTER LONG PROJECT

By: Anna Tinkelenberg and Morgan Berry

WHAT IS THE EXPERIMENT ABOUT?

Our project theme was to test the effects of motor oil on blue fescue grass, or known by the scientific name as Festuca glauca.

Our experimental question:What are the effects of motor oil

on Festuca glauca?

HOW DID YOU PERFORM THE EXPERIMENT?

We had 5 seed which we grew by combining oil and water.

Plan

t 1

Plan

t 2

Plan

t 3

Plan

t 4

Plan

t 50%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

WaterOil

←This chart shows our amounts of oil and water in each plant.

MOVIE!!

WEEK 1 We planted the seeds in the containers

and started the experiment.

Plant 1 Plant 2 Plant 3

Plant 4 Plant 5

WEEK 2 We checked for differences, but none of

the plants had grown.

Plant 1 Plant 2 Plant 3

Plant 4 Plant 5

WEEK 3 We checked again for signs of growth.

Plant 1 had a ½ inch sprout and plant 2 had ¼ inch sprout.

Plant 1 Plant 2 Plant 3

Plant 4 Plant 5

WEEK 4 Plant 3 now has a 3/8 inch sprout, which

was lighter green than the other plants. Plant 1’s tallest blade was 1 ¼ inch blade. Plant 2’s tallest blade was ¾ inch blade.

Plant 1Plant 2 Plant 3

Plant 4 Plant 5

WEEK 5FINAL WEEK

Plant 4 had a 1/8 inch sprout, which was an unhealthy yellow color. Plant 1’s tallest blade was 1 ½ inches and plant 2’s highest blade was 1 inch. Plant 3’s highest blade was ½ inch.

Plant 1Plant 2 Plant 3

Plant 4 Plant 5

RESULTS

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 50

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

Plant 1Plant 2Plant 3Plant 4Plant 5

CONCLUSION

In the experiment, the oil stunts growth. 25% oil began growth a little later that normal, but it’s color was normal. An amount of 50% or more causes an unnatural color, such as a light green color (Plant 3). 75% oil results in late growth, 3 weeks more than normal. It also results in a light yellow color (Plant 4). 100% oil leads to no results at all.