Problem Solving Lab   Purpose - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Problem Solving Lab

 

Purpose

 

Can the pieces be arranged to make 5 squares that are all the same size?

 

Materials

 

One packet of 15 pieces of paper (per group)

 

Procedure

 

Take all 15 pieces out of your packet.

Arrange all pieces to make 5 squares that are the same size

Draw your results on a separate sheet of paper.

 

Rules

 

No talking is allowed

Use all 15 pieces

Eyes only on your own table; no cheating!

 

Slide2

The Scientific Method

Created by Liz Bartimus

Slide3

Slide4

The

Scientific Method

is a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence.

Slide5

Step 1-

Problem/Question

:

The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that you observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?

And, in order for the scientific method to answer the question it must be about something that you can measure, preferably with a number.

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Step 2-

Observation/Research

:

Make observations and research your topic of interest.

Slide7

Think about the next few questions you will see.

Are they something that can be measured and tested scientifically?

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1. Are there more seeds in

Fugi

Apples or Washington Apples?

2. What types of apples grow in Missouri?

3. Why do people smoke?

4. How does talking to a plant affect a plants height?

5. Where are whales found in the world? 6. What happens if you do not eat breakfast?

7. Which planet is the most interesting one to study? 8. Which objects are attracted by a magnet: paperclip, penny, foil? 9. Will larger or smaller seeds germinate faster?

10. Do larger or smaller seeds make prettier flowers?

11. Do flying saucers really exist?

12. Which pill design – tablet, caplet, or capsule – will dissolve faster?

13. Does the color of a surface affect its temperature?

14. Why does doing homework help your grades?

15. How does the size of a helicopter’s blade length affect the speed and number of rotations?

16. Does the temperature of a classroom affect student performance?

17. How does talking to a plant affect the plant?

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JOURNAL

SM1

Write:

An

observation

about the cricket

2. A

problem question

about this observation that you can study.

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Step 3-

Develop a

Hypothesis

:

Predict

a possible answer(an

educated

guess)

to

the problem or question. It must be testable-something that can be proved right or wrong AND easily measured. Use

if

and

t

hen

statements.

Example:

If

soil temperatures

rise,

then

plant growth

will increase

because

warmer soil makes plants grow more.

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Write a hypothesis based on this question:

“ Will empty trucks use the same amount of gas as heavily loaded trucks?

JOURNAL

SM2

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Step 4-

Experiment

:

a test to used to see if your hypothesis is right.

They follow a

procedure

( a set of detailed steps) and include a detailed

materials

(what you will use) list. The outcome must be measurable (quantifiable with numbers).

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>With experiments comes a LOT of vocabulary:

Variable

-something that is can change in an experiment. To keep things straight, remember

DRYMIX

D

ependent

Variable

-

what

you

measure;

it changes because of the independent variable; it is also called the…

R

esponding variable

because it responds to a change in something else. It is graphed on the …….

Y

axis

on a graph

M

anipulated variable

is the

one and only

thing you change and test ON PURPOSE. Also called….

I

ndependent Variable

which is graphed on the…

X

axis

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We conducted two labs related to writing a hypothesis. Develop three variables for each lab:

Möbius

Strip

1

2

3

Coin Conundrum1

23

JOURNAL

SM

3

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Control Group

-An experimental group that has

no changing variable

during the experiment. Used for comparison.

Constants

-the variables that are

the same for everything .

For example if we wanted to see if more class time to start HW made a difference in grades we would keep the amount and type of HW the same for everyone. Only the time in class to do the HW would be

diferent

.

Trial

-

a task that should be repeated several times to be sure your results are

consistent or similar

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Using the information you wrote down for SM 3, identify the following for each lab.

Möbius

Strip

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

Constants:

Coin Conundrum

Independent Variable:Dependent Variable:Constants:

JOURNAL

SM

4

Slide17

Write these questions down then analyze the data on the next slide.

Identify the independent and dependent variable.

As the temperature increases, what happens to the number of chirps per minute?

How many chirps per minute would you expect when the temperature is 10

0

C?

JOURNAL

SM

5

Slide18

Analyze the data:

JOURNAL

SM

5

Cricket

15

0

C

20

0

C

25

0

C

1

91

135

180

2

80

124

169

3

89

130

176

4

78

125

158

5

77

121

157

Average Chirps83127168

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Step 5-

Collect and Analyze Results

:

Modify the procedure if needed.

Confirm the results by retesting.

Include tables, graphs, diagrams and photographs.

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Step 6-

Conclusion

: A decision based on results.

The conclusion is important because it explains the results of the lab and what you learned by doing it.

State the facts.

Exact numbers, details, variables, etc. .

Say WHY!...

.Explain why something did or did not happen.

Wrap It Up!

Talk about what you could do differently, sources of error, future tests.

NOT INCLUDING A CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH WILL AUTOMATICALLY DROP A LAB GRADE!

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Step 7-

Communicate

the

results by writing a report or telling somebody. Be sure that you do not include your personal

bias

or opinion. Just state the facts.

It is important that

you know the steps of the scientific method in order.

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Analyze the data:

JOURNAL

SM

6

Cricket

15

0

C

20

0

C

25

0

C

1

98

100

120

2

92

95

105

3

101

93

99

4

102

85

97

5

91

89

98

Average Chirps

96

92

103

1. Does the data support the hypothesis that chirp more in warmer temperatures? Explain

What would you do next if this were your data?

Can you draw a conclusion from this data? Why or why not?

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When an experiment can be repeated proving a hypothesis true over and over, the hypothesis can become a

theory

. A theory is a well-tested explanation for a lot of observations or experimental results.

A

scientific law

can be the final result of testing. Usually that describes patterns that are observed in nature that are true

ALL

the time-like the Law of Gravity.

AFTER EXPERIMENTING

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Identify the Problem

Research/Gather Info

Form a Hypothesis

Test the Hypothesis

Analyze and Conclude

Communicate Results

SCIENTIFIC METHOD STEPS-Do you know them?

If your hypothesis is wrong

Hypothesis is right

Retest!

If…… then….. statement

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JOURNAL

SM

7

If your hypothesis was

incorrect. What should you do?

Is only one trial of an experiment enough to base a conclusion on ? Why or why not?

Why is a conclusion important?

Contrast a theory and a law.