The student clearly states the independent variable as the different fruit peels and the dependent variable as the growth rate of the Flint corn plant, demonstrating an understanding of their relationship. They describe the method of analysis by specifying that plant mass will be measured, while controlling for light intensity, water, and temperature. However, the student fails to include a background theory section that connects flint corn to the use of fruit peels as natural herbicides, which is a missed opportunity for context. Additionally, there is no clear explanation of the sampling technique used for selecting the citrus fruit peels, nor is there a discussion regarding the number of trials or the precision of measurements. Despite these shortcomings, the student successfully identifies and addresses safety, ethical, and environmental issues related to the investigation, and provides a detailed methodology that allows for reproducibility.
