The distance a new island is from the mainland must play a role in the number of species that colonize it. As islands become successively farther from the mainland, fewer and fewer species will inhabit them. In order to test this hypothesis, we propose to conduct an experiment that likens flower pots, soil, and two packages of American Seeds Wildflower Mix to ocean islands, the land on the islands, and a variety of colonizing species, respectively. In one flower pot, each type of seed will be planted, and will thus represent the mainland. The type and number of seeds to be planted in the remaining three flower pots will be determined by using a fan to blow seeds into them. Our assumption is that the greatest number of seeds will be blown into the closest flower pot, and the flower pot that is farthest away will receive the least number of seeds. By observing whether or not this assumption is correct, as well as the number of different flowers that grow in each flower pot, it will be possible to conclude if more species do indeed colonize on islands that are closer to the mainland than on islands that are a greater distance away.

The materials that we will be using for this experiment are three small flower pots, one medium flower pot, potting soil, two packages of American Seeds Wildflower Mix, water, and a windowsill that will allow the flowers exposure to the sun. The medium flower pot will represent the mainland. In it, we will plant several seeds of each species. This will enable us to determine how many of the fifteen different species of seeds could have successfully grown. The seeds in the medium flower pot will receive the same amount of sunlight and water as the other three flower pots.

The number of seeds to be planted in the remaining three flower pots will be determined by using a fan to blow the seeds into the flower pots. The first flower pot will be placed two feet from the fan, the second four feet from the fan, and the third flower pot will be six feet from the fan. At this time, the flower pots will be empty in order to allow us to record how many seeds are blown into each one. This method of dispersal is very representative of nature because the heavier seeds will most likely land in the closer pots, whereas the lighter seeds with greater surface area will be blown farther. Similarly, in nature, the larger, heavier species will not disperse very far, while the lighter species, such as birds, insects, and plants, will disperse greater distances. This results because the wind can carry them.

After the seeds have been dispersed, we will plant them in the flower pot in which they landed, each flower pot having the same amount of soil. From that day until the conclusion of this experiment, the four flower pots will be closely monitored. We will begin watering the flowers once every three days. However, we will be prepared to adjust the watering schedule depending on the moisture of the moisture. All four flower pots will be exposed to sunlight throughout the day. The four flower pots will be placed on the windowsill in a specific order. On the farthest left will be the medium flower pot, the mainland. The second flower pot will be the one that was closest to the fan, the third flower pot will be the one that was four feet from the fan, and the flower pot on the farthest right will also be the flower pot that was farthest away from the fan. Space constraints will not allow the flower pots to be two, four, and six feet away from each other. However, we do not foresee this as being problematic in that the length of the experiment–only a few months–will prevent bees, or any other means, from transporting by pollination any seeds that would cause one species of seeds to "migrate" to another flower pot.

In order to ensure that accurate conclusions are drawn from the experiment it will be necessary to keep a weekly log of all changes that occur in the flower pots. The flower pots will be kept in Jessica’s room, and she will be responsible for keeping this log, as well as tending to the regular care of the flowers. At the end of each month, Shawn will write a summary of the logs, especially noting important observations that relate to the hypothesis. It will also be essential to have this information in graphical form in order to notice important patterns. Jeff will be responsible for creating these graphs, as well as all other computer-generated materials that will be used during this experiment.