Rose Summary

PHS Biology and 7th grade integrated science students will examine the effects that different levels of growth regulator hormone (Indole-3 acetic acid) have on rose plant establishment when rooting cuttings. During the month of October rose stem cuttings selected from local Knock Out roses (Rosa radrazz) will be treated with various dosages of the root hormone containing Indole-3 acetic acid. The purpose of using the rooting hormone is to induce stem cells with undifferentiated cells in order to “trick “these cells to develop into root cells instead of the stem cells they would otherwise have formed. Students will design experiments to determine the effects that growth hormone has on the developing rose cuttings over a period of 6 months. Students will observe and determine from sampling which dosage produced the best results as they compare both the experimental group and control group. (The cuttings that do not receive the treatment will serve as the control group for this study). In addition students will design and construct a 32’x 5’x 10.5” raised flower bed utilizing the materials listed within the budget detail. The hormone will be used for treating the cuttings as prescribed the experimental design. The garden soil, timbers, and hardware are needed to construct the raised bed in which the cuttings will be placed in mid-October. The 1 gallon plastic pots, wheelbarrow, and tools will aid in transplanting the cuttings into pots during the spring and moving soil if necessary. The protective water case is to keep the school’s iPad from getting wet or damaged while outdoors. Students will make observations periodically and record their findings in science their journals. In April the root development of the cuttings will again be examined and the data will be collected for final analysis. All results will be published in the form of data tables, graphs, conclusions, and summary on a poster board presentation. Plans are to produce a video documentary of the entire project as well. The culminating activity is to have students transplant the young rose plants into pots and take the rose plants home to their mothers for Mother’s Day. This project addresses a multitude of the NGSS. Focus will be placed upon several biological topics including: photosynthesis, asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction, genetic variation, plant anatomy/physiology, and cell differentiation. The economic implications of this technology will be discussed via experts in horticulture, Representatives from the Johnson-Co-Cooperative-Extension-Agriculture, and greenhouse owners who will be invited to serve as guest speakers. In order to measure student growth and project success a pre-test will be administered late September and a post- test will be administered during late April.