Different Seeds, Different Speeds
Plants and the Environment- Grade:
- 3
- Teacher:
- Michaela Rodrigues
In third grade, we learned about pollination, plant structure, and how plants grow. We wanted to find out which seeds grow faster: GMO seeds or native seeds from our region. We also wondered if freezing seeds before planting, like in winter, would help them grow faster. In our hydroponic system, we planted GMO and native jalapeño seeds, frozen and unfrozen, and GMO and native marigold seeds. We observed the seeds every day to check for germination and growth rate. The native marigold and native jalapeño seeds germinated quickly and grew at a steady rate. The GMO seeds did not germinate, whether they were frozen or not. These results surprised us and made us ask why native plants grew better, even though GMO plants are made to grow faster in farming.
This is a high level plant science project with multi-variable design and strong documentation. The hydroponic system, interval measurements, and thoughtful conclusion elevate it into a highly competitive tier.