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

FishHawk Creek Elementary, Hillsborough County Public School Grade Level: 5 Title: Will Microgravity Affect The Growth/Germination Of Lettuce Seeds? Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5 to ISS Co-Principal Investigators: Miranda Corbo, Srinidhi Raghavan and Isabelle Utsler Teacher Facilitator: Mary Vaughn Abstract: 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 Timeline How 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 1 4/10 lettuce seeds germinated Trial 2 6/10 lettuce seeds germinated

More Ground Truth Data Trial 1Trial 2Trial 3 5/2312 seeds placed 5/248/12 seeds germinated Sprayed 12 times and 9/12 seeds germinated 6/12 seeds germinated 5/25Sprayed 9 times and small sprouts sighted Sprayed 12 times and small leaves and roots sighted Sprayed 6 times and small leaves and roots sighted 5/26Sprayed 9 times and sprouts are bigger Many more small leaves visible Sprayed 6 times and roots and leaves bigger 5/27Sprouts 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 5/28All 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 with Kennedy 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.