Gabrielle Greaney and Jacob Rostkowski

Mrs. Plaskowitz
Mrs. Dougherty
Mr. Peters

Salamander Growth Main Project:

Our main project will be on salamander growing methods. We will have three different
habitat/tank set ups. One will be near a window to have natural light shining in on the eggs. The
other will be under an ambient florescent light. The last will be under no light and will just be in
a room where the only light that gets in will be a light that gets turned on while the room is being
used. The objective of this experiment is to compare growing methods to see which is most
efficient in growing yellow spotted salamanders.
I. Research Topics
We will need to research how to care for yellow-spotted salamanders. Also,
researching their life cycle will be important because we will need to know what to
expect as the salamanders grow from their egg stage. We expect to answer “What
type of habitat do salamanders need to survive?”, “What do salamanders eat?”, “What
are the stages of life that a salamander has?”, “Do salamanders need a form of light to
survive?”, “What must a salamander have in a tank to be able to live?”

II. Requirements
We will have to maintain a healthy ecosystem to provide comfort and basic needs for our
salamanders to survive.
III. Major Components
 Three tanks with required habitat needs
 A table near a window
 An ambient florescent light
 Salamander eggs
 Salamander food

IV. Applications
This project is important because it will help us to better understand the scientific
method. We will also have the opportunity to care for and experiment on these unique
amphibians.

V. Technology Education Outcomes

 We will be able to set up three tanks. We will also be using different forms of technology
to collect and organize data.

VI. Science Research Outcomes

We will have the opportunity to research and learn about salamanders. Also be able to
conduct an experiment on different growing methods.

VII. Technological Systems Outcomes

We will mostly use excel to record data.

VIII. Use of Technology

 Our cellphones will be used in order to take photos.
 We will use computers to collect and organize data to use in a spreadsheet and
other scientific research papers
 Our tanks to hold our salamanders in

IX. Preliminary Outline of Procedures

Construction Procedure:
1. Get all three tanks set up with lights and provide the ecosystem for the
salamanders and maintain water quality in preparation for the salamanders.
2. Receive the salamander eggs and place in the tanks.
3. Start Experiment.
Experiment Procedure:
1. Measure the length of the salamanders once they’ve hatched from their eggs.
2. Compile all data from each day into an excel document.
3. Feed recommended amounts of food to salamanders each day.
4. Repeat this process every day in order to achieve growth of the salamanders.

X. Budget
$30-50, we already have the materials. The salamanders are being sent to us.

XI. Safety
Make sure to wash hands with soap and water after handling the salamanders