Hypothesis:

Exposure to radiation beyond Earth’s atmosphere may effect the viability of plants and animals.

Equipment :

Sunflower seeds, Yeast, 2 X Standard SEM Nalgene vials, plastic bags, potting mix, empty milk cartons, water, flour.

Experiment:

Sunflower samples and yeast samples will be divided into two equal amounts each.  One half of the samples is to remain on Earth’s surface, while the other half is to be launched on the Shuttle to spend several days in space.  The samples are to be packed in plastic bags and placed in the SEM Nalgene vials in similar ways and stored in similar ways. 

After the return from space, both samples will be unpacked at the same time. 

The sunflower seeds will then be placed in potting mix in milk cartons and watered with similar amounts of water.  The seeds will be watered regularly and placed in the sun at the same time.  Measurements of time and growth will be taken daily for the next two weeks.  If possible the seeds from the resultant plants will be collected and also grown to ensure continued viability.

The yeast will be used to make bread rolls using similar quantities of flour water sugar etc. 

The resultant rolls will be compared for texture, size and taste.

 Hypothesis:

Exposure to radiation beyond Earth’s atmosphere may effect the viability of plants and animals.

Equipment :

Corn seeds, Brine Shrimp Cysts, 2 X Standard SEM Nalgene vials, plastic bags, potting mix, empty milk cartons, water

Experiment:

Corn samples and brine shrimp samples will be divided into two equal amounts each.  One half of the samples is to remain on Earth’s surface, while the other half is to be launched on the Shuttle to spend several days in space.  The samples are to be packed in plastic bags and placed in the SEM Nalgene vials in similar ways and stored in similar ways. 

After the return from space, both samples will be unpacked at the same time. 

The corn seeds will then be placed in potting mix in milk cartons and watered with similar amounts of water.  The seeds will be watered regularly and placed in the sun at the same time.  Measurements of time and growth will be taken daily for the next two weeks.

The brine shrimp cysts will be added to a growing solution of the same salinity and volume and activated.  The brine shrimp will be collected after two days and the weight of the resultant harvest will be measured.  Activity of the brine shrimp will also be viewed using a microscope and compared.