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scientific Method ptop ptop Fizz Fizz
t this lab, you will develop and test a
hypothesis
ou are given guidance at each step ofihe
Step
1:
wiv.
, analyzedata and draw conclusions.
rirr
oritni ro* J#ii"t"rv
- do not skip stepst
Question or Observation
rtion: what factors wit make an arka-sertzer
tabret dissorve faster?
bles to test: Tap water, warm *rtur,
corJilter, satt water, niioi"'*rt",
(using vinegar)
What is the responding variable, or the thing you
will be
2:..Develop a hypothesis. Finish this statement...
seltzer will dissolve fastest in
water, and the slowest in
r
3: Design and Conduct and Experiment
these questions regarding yor,
"rp"iirental
,,rrer
tep
step
water.
design
4: Create a table to record your results.
5:
Draw conclusions
-
in a complete sentence, answer your experimental
question by summarizing the data
Have you ever noticed that when you put a small arnount of water on certain surfaces it beads up into a
little droplet? I was wondering one day, how many droplets of water can fit on a penny withouiany
water spilling off the edge?
There is of course a population of billions upon billions of pennies in the world, and each one can hold a
certain number of drops of water. And it would certainly be impossible for us to test every penny in the
world to see how many &ops it can hold. However, we can tesi a sample of pennies!
Before we test some pennies, estimate the number of drops you think can fit on a penny
here
Using the tools provided by yor:r teacher...get a partner and together test a penny!
{ow many drops did you get?
_
Record your data on the chalk board and enter the class data in the table below.
Notice that the number of drops on a penny is probably quite different from one group to aaother.
What are some of the things that might cause this variation? List them below.
You've probably figured out that the reason for most of the variation is because we did not all sample the
tme thing. Another way of saying this is that we were all measuring different populations, because we
'd not standardize our measunneats! Get with your parh:er decide ho* *. us u
.* rt od*dir.
"j*s
Drops on a Penny
Page
2@
our samples to ensure that each goup in the class is sampl,ing the sarne population. Share your ideas.
with the class and agree on a standard procedrue for deterrrining the number of water drops that can fit
on a penny. Write that procedr:re below.
Now let's try it again! Obtain the appropriate equipment, foilow the procedures outlined above, and test
yottr penny. Recqrd
ur measunnent on the chalk board. Put the entire class data in the table below.
How is the new set of data different from the first set collected?
Did every group in the class get the same nr:mber of drops per penny this time? Why not? In other
words, state some other sources of potential variation in the sampie measurements.
Can you think of a better way to determine the amount of water that can fit on a penny other than
counting the number of drops? How would you measure this and what equipment would you need?
lf I were to ask you then, "Just how many drops of water can fit on a penny?" Based on the experiment
we
just did, how would you answer this question
?
t--
E
Pendulum Project
http ://www.biolo gycorner.
c
orn/workshe ets/pendulum.htrnl
The Pendulum Project - Using the Scientific Method
Overview: Students will use the scientific method to solve a problem. They have the freedom to
design, conduct, and gather their data and draw their own conclusions.
lnstructions:
', ,::
1. Show a pendulum to the students
Gimply
a
weight attached to a string). Swing the pendulum.
2. Ask students the following: Does the number of times the pendulum swing depend on the weight
attached to it, or the length of the string?
3. Students then work in pairs to develop a way to answer the question. You may need to remind them
of controls and variables. That they should test one variable (length or weight) while leaving the other
variable constant.
4. Students test their hypothesis to answer the Question. They shouid organize their data onto a chart
or graph.
Materials given to students:
-String
-Masking tape (to secure pendulums- wam students not to hold the pendulums in their
hand)
-Various weights (paper clips can also work)
5. Students will then write their conclusions based on the data they gathered and turn in a report
6. Report should contain the following:
:Introduction, question
and hypothesis
--Description of how you designed your experiment
--Data tables or graphs
-- Geaelusi€€*$
C42il ClirSIO,US
Report Rubric
,ExceIIent
Data
Organization
Adequate
Easy to read, had labels Easy to read, most
and headings to make it labels are present,
easy for the reader to
data comparison is
compare data
not intuitive
Needs
i:
i:Data Gathering
t:
il
:i
Plenty of data was
taken to make a
Enough data was
determination about
taken to draw
which variable effected conclusions
the pendulum the most
Pts
Not easy to read, data
hard to follow or
understand,
comparisons are
extremely difficult to
make
::
!:
work
,
,
Only one'or two dara
fields taken, not
enough to draw real
conclusions
t
Experimental
Design
Each variable was
tested separately.
Controls were used
Variablep were not
tested separately,
Variables were tested making it impossible to
separately, controls
determine which
not evident
variabie actually
changed the pendulums
swings
Experiment elinated
the majority of errors
that could result in an
invalid conclusion
Experiment
eliminated some of
Experiment design had
the errors that would
many erTors
result in an invalid
conclusion
No major grarnmar
A few grarnmar
EITOTS
effors
t:
a:
ii
;:
i:
ii
r:Experimental
,,Errors
j;
t:
i:
i!
i;Report Grammer
al
il
i:Report
lrOrganization
:;
follow
i:
i:
ii
Conclusions follow
::
tl
:iReport
.,Conclusions
data and clearly
answers the
experiment's question.
l:Report
rConclusions
r:Validity
jr---"------- --
Report is somewhat
rReport diffrcult to read,
,not well organized, or
iacks clear divisions
of sections
appears to be a "rough
Conclusions answer
question, but do not
follow data
,Conclusions do not
:follow data and do not
answer the question
Easy to read, sections
diffrcult to read, or
have headings and it is
easy to
Many grammar errors,
difficult to read
Conclusions answer
Conclusions only
the question correctly.
partially correct.
(There is a real answer)
draft"
Conclusions do not
answer the question
correctly.
J
i4
t:
i:....
total
Fendulum Lab Worksheet
1.
Problem
II. Hvoothesis / Prediction
iII. Materials
used:
IV. Procedure/experimental desion
V. Observations
VL Conclusions