Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... w&from=TSW

Im doing this project, I set the berries on the 17th late at night my berries are already 2 days into the process. My control berries are molding, but as the project intended the variable berries (the treated berries) are not molding, my question is will I be able to finish this project in time for when its due.


Due December 5th, but the teachers want the project board to be set up by the 28th.


Is it possible? or just forget this project and get something that can be done in less than 4 days...

Hello,
The guidelines indicate this project takes a couple of weeks to complete. At the same time, it seems like the system you have set up is starting to give you "data". With the data you have (or will have before the 28th or 27th, remember you need some time to analyze your data and prepare your poster)- can you tell which conditions will prevent the berries from molding? Hope this helps!
Veronica

Actually my control berries are molding fast now, I guess i got a bit impatient.


Variables are doing what they're suppose to be doing, not molding.

Also a question about my variables.


My control are the "Untreated" strawberries

My Independent Variables is : Heat

My dependent variables is : Time and Temperature?


am I right?

Hello,
CONTROL GROUP
Yes, your control group: untreated berries (berries not dipped in hot water).
VARIABLES
To identify the dependent and independent variables is a bit more tricky though.
DEPENDENT
The dependent variable is the outcome you are measuring at the end of the experiment. You have no control over this variable. In your case this would be whether your berries get moldy or not.
INDEPENDENT
The way the experiment is outlined on the website you can actually have more than one independent variable. Remember independent variables are the variables you change over the course of the experiment. What is your experiment? You are dipping berries in hot water for a few seconds to minutes to then see what effect this has on their getting moldy.
What are the variables you can control in the experiment? You can control how hot the water is (different temperatures). You can also control how long you dip the berries in the hot water. Both time and temperature are independent variables. Did you try different temperatures or "dipping" times? Remember that you can change only one independent variable at a time for a particular group. Otherwise, you will not be able to relate a particular outcome to a specific treatment.
Hope this helps!!
Veronica

Thank you.

Today I began throwing away some of the Control berries.

everything going as plan just hope, the treated berries mold by saturday.



125/45 Seconds seems to be taking the longest to mold.

I am happy things are going well!! Remember to have fun doing your research!! Although sometimes having fun doing your research can be hard to do if you have a deadline!
Best,
Veronica

I only did the temperatures and times listed on the project page, do you think the teacher of the kid I'm helping might find it odd?

Hi! I think it is ok that you only tried few conditions (the ones listed on the project page). You should be prepared to explain why were those conditions chosen to treat the berries. Is it the case that that particular temperature/time of treatment was previously known to be effective against mold growth? Our time as scientists is precious. Sometimes we have to go with the experiment conditions we think would be most effective at generating some effect or change. Hope this helps!
Have a great long weekend!!
Veronica

So far so good, the kid got an A for his results and conclusion.


All thats needed now is to print and set up the display board.

Great to hear!! Congratulations! Let us know how the Science Fair presentation goes!!
Veronica

DEPENDENT
The dependent variable is the outcome you are measuring at the end of the experiment. You have no control over this variable. In your case this would be whether your berries get moldy or not.


What? All of the strawberries grew mold, some of the testing groups grew mold faster than the control groups and there was one group that did last longer than the control groups and the other two testings groups, that group is the one experimented at 125 Fahrenheit water temperature for 45 seconds in the water.

Does that mean my control group is part of my responding variables?


Should I even show my responding variables? on the variables section, as they're going to be featured on the result



anyways I came up with this.


Controlled Variable : Untreated strawberries (berries not dipped in hot water)

Manipulated Variables : Water temperature, Time.

Temperatures: 125°, 140°

Times : 45 seconds, 3 minutes.

Responding Variables: Control Variable

The following testing groups

125° Fahrenheit/45 Seconds

125° Fahrenheit/3 Minutes

140° Fahrenheit/45 Seconds


Not sure if its right -_-.

Hi!
Control group: Untreated berries, fruit that received no treatment.
Manipulated variables: time and temperature used during treatment (as you described)
Results: How long it takes for each group to get moldy.
You are right, all berries will get moldy eventually- there should be a difference in how long it takes for this to happen. This is what your results will describe- how long it took for the different groups of berries to get moldy.
Hope this helps!

Thank you so much for your help. The project is best in his grade will be in exposition at the Miami Dade County Fair and Exposition in Febuary.

Great News!!!