Warm-Up 8/29
Describe every thing you know about the
Scientific method.
• Lecture 1: The Scientific Method-Review
1. Observation/Questioning
•
Act of noting objects or
events.
•
Using senses
•
Ask questions about your
observations.
•
Ex. Why is this fungus
2. Hypothesis/Predictions
Hypothesis:
•
Testable explanation
of an observation.
Prediction:
•
Expected outcome of
a test.
3. Testing Hypothesis
Design Experiment with:
a) Experimental Group:
-Group that has a manipulated
treatment
-contains two types of variables.
b) Control Group:
-researcher does not generally
manipulate a variable.
Independent and Dependent variables.
Independent Variable:
The manipulated variable.
-graphed on the x-axis
Ex.
Light
Temperature
moisture.
Dependent Variable
The responding variable.
(your Data)
-graphed on the y-axis
Ex.
Plant height
4. Analyzing Results and Drawing
Conclusions
hypothesis is either
accepted or rejected.
But…never proven. Why?
Because a new
experiment could show
different results.
5. Theory and Beyond
Theory:
A set of related hypotheses that have been tested and
confirmed many times by many scientists.
Summary/Reflection
1. Describe the main points of the lecture. (Not
Just a List)
2. Explain what was difficult for you about the
lecture. Why?
3. What do you think you could do differently
next time to make it easier for you
Seed Germination Design Lab
In groups of 4 you will design an experiment
testing one variable that can affect seed
germination.
You must follow the steps of the scientific
method.
Seed Lab Day 1
Step 1 Lab Notebook set up and Initial Observations.
A)Set up your lab notebook (Pre-Lab)
a) Write the purpose of the lab.
b) Write the date
c) Create an organized table were you can record your initial
observations.
B)Observe the available seeds in the classroom at each station.
a. record observations about each seed type in your
lab
notebook
b. choose one type of plant seed to be the subject of your
experiment
Seed Lab Day 1
Step 1 Lab Notebook set up and Initial Observations and Research.
A) Using the Chromebooks answer the following questions on a shared Google
Doc. Choose a different font color unique to you. This lab will allow you to divide
and conquer the work listed below.
Everybody must contribute equally
.
B) Cite the sources of where you find the answers to the following prompts
using APA format. (Use Bibme.org or another free citation website to assist you
with your citations)
1. Common Name of the plant you chose.
2. Scientific name of the plant you chose.
3. Family Name
4. Describe the domestic/commercial uses of the plant that you are testing.
5. Describe the best method to germinate the seeds of the plant you chose
in a lab setting.
Seed Lab
Day 1
Step 2-Experimental Design
Collaborate with your partner to do the following:
Materials and Method: (In your Lab Notebook)
1.Decide on an independent variable that you think will affect germination.
2.Identify the dependent variable of your experiment (Data must be
quantitative
).
3.Create a hypothesis
about the effect of the independent variable on seed
germination.
4.Design an experiment to test your hypothesis. In your design you must have
the following:
a) A list of the materials that you need (from home or check with me)
b) A detailed procedure of each step of your experiment.
Seed Lab Day 2
Step 3 Refine your experimental design
With your partners:
A)Create a storyboard of your experiment with your partner showing and
describing each step of your experiment.
Include the following:
a)
Sketch of each step of your experiment with a description
b)
Sketch of what your predicted results will be with a description.
c)
Independent variable
d)
Dependent variable
e)
Control
Use color and be creative.
State your hypothesis.
Independent Variable.
Dependent Variable.
Seed Lab Day 2
Chalk Talk Directions:
Purpose:
Get feedback and refine your
experimental idea by presenting your ideas to the
class.
Presenter:
Describe your experiment to the class using your
poster as a visual aid. Field questions from the audience to refine
your experiment.
Seed Lab Day 3
Step 4: Set-up your experiment and Data Collection
With your partner:
1. Create a Data Table in your lab notebook that will allow
you to have an organized space to collect your data and
Seed Germination Percentage
for the duration of the
experiment.
2. Set up your experiment based on your refined
experimental design.
Things to consider as you set up:
A) Label parts of your experiment with the following:
a) First initial and last name of you and your partner b) Date
c) Period
B) Record your initial qualitative observations.
Seed Lab Data Analysis
Step 5: Interpreting Data/Analysis
A.On graph paper, plot Percent Germination per Day for both
the Experimental and Control groups on the same graph. Be
sure to include a key.
Your Graph must include all of the following:
a)
Graph Title
b)
Labeled x and y axis with correct units
c)
Graph Key
Answer this question below your graph:
Step 6 Seed Lab Conclusion
Directions: Conclusions must be written in PARAGRAPH. Your conclusion must have the
answers to the following questions in order to be considered a complete conclusion.
Sentence starters have been provided to help get you started.
• What was the hypothesis and how did you test it?
(In this experiment the hypothesis…Or We tested the hypothesis…by…)
• Did the experiment allow you to accept or reject the hypothesis? Why or why not?
(The data shows…Or…The results indicate that…) (CITE EVIDENCE from your experiment.)
• What were the experimental errors?
(There were several experimental errors. They include…Or…The errors in this experiment include… Or…Experimental errors include…)
• How did those errors affect the results of the experiment? (The experiment was affected by those errors by…)
• How can the procedures be improved?...Think about the errors. (To minimize error the procedures could be improved by…)
• Further experimental ideas based on the given scenario or a scenario you think up. (Considering the
