You Look Different Than the Last Time I Saw You

Purpose:  To demonstrate decomposition and nutrient cycling.

Materials:  Petri dish with cover, soil, pieces of fruit, vegetables, bread, (each no larger than1/2 cubic inch), water.

Procedure: 

1. Place a thin layer of soil on the bottom of the dish.

2. Put three pieces of food on top of the soil.  Moisten the food and the soil with water.

3. cover the dish.  Remove the cover for a few seconds every couple of days to let some air in.

Record:

• The day you began and what pieces of food you used.

• The day you noticed a change in each of the food pieces.

• Record how long it took for the food to can change into something that no longer resembles the beginning piece of food.

• If there is mod or fungus, what color is it?

• How many different types of mod or fungus did you grow?

• Did the same color fungi grow on the same kind of food?

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