Experiment #3: Does the Alligator Grow Better in Salt Water?


I want to know if the growing alligator toy grows best in salt water or plain tap water. I will measure how well each alligator grows for 5 days in the same size plastic tub.


Prediction: (This is what I think will happen…)
I think that the alligator growing in the salt water will grow bigger.

Materials for the Experiment
• 2 growing alligator toys from the store
• 2 small plastic tubs (6 quart size)
• Salt
• Tap water
• Graph paper


Procedure: (This is what I did…)
1. Label one tub “Plain Water” and fill it with tap water.

2. Label the other tub “Salt Water”. Fill the tub with water and add 3 tablespoons of salt. Make sure that both tubs have the same amount of water.

3. Measure each growing alligator toy before putting it in the water.

4. Place each alligator in the water and wait for one whole day before taking it out of the water.

5. Take the alligator out of the tub each day and measure how much it grows. Put the alligator on a new piece of graph paper and trace around it. Count the squares and write it down on the graph paper. Also write this number on the data table.

Repeat this for 5 days and write down what you discover each day. You can see what I discovered on my data table called “Salt Water or Plain Water.”

Posted: Tue - February 15, 2005 at 06:29 PM        

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