Use the information from the "Self Introduction" and "Discussion Post: Using the Scientific Method to Investigate Plant Growth" write-ups to answer the below questions. Let your answer be a single write-up.

Questions:

Construct a discussion post explaining a time you used the scientific method to address a problem or answer a question you had. Include in your post a brief introduction of yourself (tell us your major, where you live/are from, your hobbies, etc.), the problem or question you were trying to address, and how you used the scientific method to learn and innovate!

"Self Introduction

Hello Class! I'm John Theodore-Eden, a Master in Public Administration candidate. I find this area of study very interesting because it prepares students for a life of public service. I believe I'm called to public service, so this class will certainly pave the way for me. Outside of my studies and military service, I'm involved in public speaking, mentoring soldiers, and giving my time to law enforcement agencies. I'm H2F (Holistic Health and Fitness) certified, so I train battalion and brigade members on health and fitness. I love cooking, writing, cycling, and traveling. I also sprint and run track in my spare time. I'm currently transitioning from Military Police to a Chaplain Officer in the Army Reserves, in order to serve the federal government in an additional capacity. Currently, I'm in Europe for the next several months. I'm primarily participating in this class because it's an important elective to complete my Bachelor's in Public Administration, as highly recommended by my course advisor. Additionally, because of my quest to learn more about biological concepts, I find it intriguing to take this course, and I hope to learn as much as possible from it. I'm definitely putting all my best efforts into this class because I love biology and biological concepts. Also, I believe that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well! I'm looking forward to meeting our professor, my peers in this class, and learning alongside them! Very respectfully, -JT"

"Discussion Post: Using the Scientific Method to Investigate Plant Growth

During my sophomore year in high school, I became curious about how different types of light affect plant growth. I had a small indoor garden and noticed that my plants seemed to thrive under certain conditions but struggled under others. This observation led me to formulate a question: "How does the type of light (natural sunlight vs. artificial light) affect the growth rate of my indoor plants?"

To address this question, I decided to apply the scientific method, which I learned about in my biology class. Here's how I approached the problem step-by-step:

1. Observation: I observed that my plants grew differently depending on the light source. Some plants were lush and green, while others appeared stunted and yellowish.
2. Question: My main question was, "Does natural sunlight promote better growth in plants compared to artificial light?"
3. Hypothesis: I hypothesized that plants exposed to natural sunlight would grow taller and healthier than those exposed to artificial light.
4. Experiment: I set up an experiment with two groups of the same type of plant (let's say, basil). One group was placed in a window where they received direct sunlight for several hours a day, while the other group was placed under a standard LED grow light for the same duration. I ensured that both groups received the same amount of water and nutrients.
5. Data Collection: Over the course of four weeks, I measured the height of the plants weekly and noted any changes in color and leaf health. I recorded my observations in a journal to keep track of the growth patterns.
6. Analysis: After four weeks, I analyzed the data. The plants under natural sunlight grew an average of 12 inches, while those under artificial light only grew about 6 inches. Additionally, the leaves of the plants in sunlight were a vibrant green, whereas the artificial light plants had yellowing leaves.
7. Conclusion: Based on my findings, I concluded that natural sunlight significantly promotes better growth in basil plants compared to artificial light. This supported my hypothesis and provided me with a deeper understanding of plant biology and the importance of light in photosynthesis.
8. Further Research: Inspired by my results, I considered exploring other variables, such as different types of artificial lights (like fluorescent vs. LED) or varying the duration of light exposure.

This experience not only reinforced my understanding of the scientific method but also sparked my interest in botany and environmental science. It was rewarding to see how a structured approach to inquiry could lead to meaningful insights and innovations in my gardening practices."