Conduct the experiment all in one day on the day of purchase of the strawberries. Fill the saucepan three-quarters full of water and heat it on the stove at medium heat.
Divide three baskets of strawberries in half, putting each half in its own basket. Count the strawberries in each basket to make sure they contain the same amount.
Label the baskets “1C, 1T, 2C, 2T, 3C and 3T.” The baskets marked with “C” are controls. The baskets labeled “T” will be treated with thermotherapy. Record the data.
Place the thermometer in the saucepan. When the temperature is 125 degrees Fahrenheit, record the temperature and time with the other data.
Turn off the burner at this point in each of the trials. Put basket “1T” gently into the hot water, using the slotted spoon to keep the berried inside the basket. Start the stopwatch and keep the strawberries in the water for 45 seconds.
Remove the strawberries immediately from the water, gently using the slotted spoon and tongs. Lay the strawberries on a towel. Put on clean disposable gloves, blot the strawberries gently with paper towels and allow them to cool and completely dry.
Repeat the process (Steps 4 through 6) with “2T” and “3T.” When the strawberries are dry, return them to their baskets. Include observations about each basket in your data.
Surround each control basket and each basket treated with thermotherapy with two layers of plastic wrap. Put the baskets on newspaper to absorb any leaks. Leave the baskets out at room temperature.
Pour out the water from the saucepan. Fill it three-quarters full with clean water and heat it on medium heat.
Conduct three trials with water at 125 degrees Fahrenheit and an immersion time of three minutes. You will divide three baskets of strawberries in half, as before. Label the baskets “4C, 4T, 5C, 5T, 6C and 6T.” Remember to record your data.
Conduct three trials with water at 140 degrees Fahrenheit and an immersion time of 45 seconds. You will divide three baskets of strawberries in half, as before. Label the baskets “7C, 7T, 8C, 8T, 9C and 9T.” Remember to record your data.
Wait 24 hours, put on disposable gloves and remove the plastic wrap to check each basket of strawberries. Put on clean disposable gloves to check each basket. Record how many showed mold or other changes in appearance or smell. Rewrap the baskets. Check again every 24 hours until all the strawberries have mold.
Graph your results using a bar graph. Plot each control basket next to its companion treated with thermotherapy on the x-axis. The y-axis is the days with no mold.