1. Sampson Fletcher, Thy Nguyen, Olivia Sisopha Advanced Plant Biology
The effect of the application of caffeine on the Marigolds will be the slowing of its growth rate from lack of nutrition
Sampson Fletcher, Thy Nguyen, Olivia Sisopha
Lincoln High School
Advanced Plant Biology
Period 3

2. Introduction
For our ongoing experiment, we asked a simple question: what would happen if we watered with diet coke? The experiment was designed to show the effects of caffeine on marigolds over a set period of about a month. Previous experiments in the past have led to near similar conclusions of a decrease in growth rate

3. Purpose
Our purpose of doing this experiment is to see the results of marigolds when caffeine is applied. Seemed simple with the most obvious results with enough sufficient data to prove our theory.

4. Problem (Testable Question)
How does the addition of caffeine when applied to plants affect the growth rate of the 120 Marigolds when applied?

5. Hypothesis
If Caffeine is applied to the 120 Marigolds, the growth rate will decrease because of its high content of caffeine that lacks the nutrition necessary to excel plant growth.

6. Variables
Manipulated Variable: Caffeine which is applied to our 120 Marigolds
Responding Variable: The growth rate of our 120 Marigolds with the application of Caffeine
Controlled Variable: Sterile greenhouse soil, Flats containing Marigolds, Six packs

7. Muhahah he’s trying not to smile =] ---->
Experimental Control: 60 Marigolds without the application of Diet Pepsi/Coke
Validity Measures: Clean hands to apply our caffeine, clean cups to effectively apply our caffeine

8. Abstract
The overall objective of the project was to observe the effects of the application of caffeine on the growth rate of plants. To do this we applied exactly 1 liter of both coke and pepsi, to an equal number of 60 plants per pack. Over the course of about 3 months we would regularly record the growth rate of all 3 flats, comparing the control (in this case the flat with only water) to the results of the flats with the application of diet coke and pepsi. The results produced show a significant difference between those with water and those with the caffeine. Towards the last measurement it could be concluded that there was an average difference of over 1.5 centimeters in growth.
From this project overall it can be concluded that with the application of caffeine on a set number of fast plants, you will see, after a set period of time( at the least 2 months) a significant loss in growth rate for those with caffeine, and a continuous steady growth for those with water. The difference is quite obvious

9. Materials 3 packs Marigold seeds Fertilizer
3 Flats (Housing 60 Marigolds each)
Potting soil (3 pots)
1 2 liter Diet Coke
1 2 liter Diet Pepsi
Natural Water

10. Methods Flats are given an equal amount of potting soil and fertilizer
Plant seeds are added and set in greenhouse, until time of transplanting
Marigolds are transplanted into 3 flats each housing 60 Marigolds
Water is applied to the control, while an equal application of Diet Coke is added to the 2nd flat, with Diet Pepsi added to the 3rd
Every watering period, repeats step 3 and record what you see each period

11. Data Date: Height: Description: November 29, 2007 December 17, 2007
Dp:2 centimeters/5 plants
Dc:2 centimeters/5 plants
All plants look healthy
December 17, 2007
Dp:3.6 centimeters/ 5 plants
Dc:3.5 centimeters/ 5 plants
Noted color loss..
December 18, 2007
Same
December 19, 2007
Dp:3.7 centimeters/ 5 plants
Dc:3.6 centimeters/ 5 plants
January 9, 2008
None
More noted loss of height of those with caffeine applied
January 14, 2008
Dp:3.4 centimeters/ 5 plants
Dc:3.3 centimeters/ 5 plants
Those with caffeine have tilted to one side with an average of 1 death a pack
January 15, 2008
Significant drop in both color and plant height
January 22, 2008

12. Data Continue =] Date: Height: Description: November 29, 2007
Water: 2 cm
All plants look healthy
December 17, 2007
Water: 3.7 cm
Continuous consistent growth
December 18, 2007
Same
December 19, 2007
Water: 3.75 cm
January 9, 2008
Water: 4 cm
January 14, 2008
Water: 4.7 cm
January 15, 2008
January 22, 2008
Water:

13. Conclusion
From this project overall it can be concluded that with the application of caffeine on a set number of fast plants, you will see, after a set period of time( at the least 2 months) a significant loss in growth rate for those with caffeine, and a continuous steady growth for those with water. The difference is quite obvious

14. References Http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/sep2001/1001380272