Triops will hatch within 24 hours once exposed to the proper conditions. After hatching, the triops will begin to grow at a rapid pace. One possible science experiment to conduct is whether or not it is possible to influence the rate at which triops grow. To conduct this science project, separate your triops into three groups. The first group will be your control group. With the second group, experiment with changing their level of water. With the third group, change the amount of direct sunlight being received. Keep a log of your observations for each group of triops.
The basis of this science project is to discover how long it takes a triops to hatch. Before beginning this project, remember to write down your hypothesis, or guess, of what the outcome will be. Set up your triops habitat. Watch and record at predetermined intervals your observations of the egg. Make sure to observe several triops to get an accurate representation of hatching rates for your data. Note whether your hypothesis was correct or incorrect and any concluding discoveries you made.
Hatch and rear several triops and observe their average lifespan. Make sure that all of your triops in this project are exposed to the same conditions and variables, in order to receive the most accurate information. Make sure to note any external circumstances or factors that arose during your project that may have affected the final outcome. Ensure that you are following proper care instructions for the triops, as this will affect the average lifespans of your subjects.
Observe how large a triops can grow. Over the course of their lifetimes, measure and record the growth rate of the triops. Note the size of your largest and smallest triops. Make a record of how long it took each triops to reach its adult size. If there were any additional factors that may have affected the size of certain triops, include this information in your project notes. Notice whether or not feeding the triops more food correlated with a larger final size.