Creating a Spreadsheet

(These instructions use ClarisWorks Spreadsheet v4.0.)

Graph #1 shows seed generation at two different temperatures. These are 2 temperatures in 2 dishes at different locations.

Graph #2 is for showing seed generation of one dish at one temperature.

Entering your Data

Type the title of your worksheet in A1: Seed Germination Experiment

You can add more information in A2: For Warm or Cool Conditions

Skip a line

In A4 enter the title: Days

In B4 enter the title: Seeds Germinated

Enter days and numbers of seeds germinated until done.

Skip a line.

Write a formula to give you the total number of seeds at the bottom of Column B (sum(B5:B14))

Making a Chart

Select the data columns in which you recorded days and numbers of seeds

Under Options select 'Make a Chart'

Choose 'line' as type of chart (click next)

Choose 'general' and choose 'use numbers' in the first column as labels (days)

Choose 'Modify Chart' under Options to change style, edit, etc.

To make a chart for two columns of data

Follow the same directions as for doing the experiment and chart of one condition but record the number of seeds for both warm and cool. The cool number will be recorded in column C.

When making your chart select all three columns.

Be sure to choose column one (days) as the x axis. (or use numbers in first column as labels )

The chart now shows two different lines, one for the germination rate at a warm temperature and one for the germination rate at a cool temperature.

Additional data calculations that can be done

1. Determine the average temperature for each germination place.
2. Number of days till the first seed germinated.
3. Number of days between first germination and last germination.
4. Total number of seeds that germinated.
5. Total percent germination.