Which Cheese Grows Mold The Fastest? (page 2)

Charting and Graphing Data

In each section of the experiment, use charts to display the obtained data such the following sample:

Experimental Procedure

1. State the problem you are going to investigate in this science fair project.
2. Create the data sheets you will use to record your observations.
3. Gather all your materials.
4. Put on your safety glasses, apron and rubber gloves.
5. Clean the surface you will be working on with a dilute solution of bleach and water.
6. Set up the 8 Petri dishes  into 4 sets of two labeling them with specimen numbers such as# 1 and  #2 will contain Vermont Cheddar, #3 and #4 will contain Swiss ,# 5 and #6 will be Camembert etc.
7. Set up 4 Petri dishes, each of which will contain a sample of each cheese to serve as a control and label them.
8. Cut the paper toweling to fit the Petri dishes, line the Petri dishes with the paper and soak each of the papers with a medicine dropper of water.
9. Slice all the cheeses into equal segments and place them in the labeled Petri dishes and in the controls.
10. Using sterile swabs open the Petri dish of rhizopus and transfer an equal amount of the mold to each of the cheeses. Do not inoculate the controls!
11. Store the dishes in a warm place (75-80 degrees F) and in a dark place, a drawer or in a closed box.
12. Observe, measure and record the growth of the mold using your centimeter ruler on a daily basis for two weeks. 
13. You may wish to make sketches of your observations and /or take photos of the mold growth to substantiate your observations.
14. Graph your data.   A graph presents an instant picture of the findings.
15. Prepare your report and include all of the following: a clear statement of the problem, your hypothesis, the rationale for your hypothesis, and a list the materials used. Include the safety precautions taken. Describe the procedures used. Include all the data that were gathered. Include all charts and graphs. Formulate your conclusions.   For dramatic value, you may include photos of the materials used or of you in the process of conducting this investigation. Include a bibliography of sources you used. You may wish to assess what you did and describe what you would do differently if you were to do this project again. In addition, you may include what you view as the practical applications of your project as well as what further research you may wish to conduct on this subject.

Bibliography

1. Ammirati, Joe F. “Mold,” World Book Encyclopedia, 2002.
2. Edelman, E. and Grodnick, S. The Ideal Cheese Book, 1986.
3. "Facts About Mold." December 8, 2004.
4. www.answers.com/topic/cheese