Student Learning Map

  • Topic:02- Experimental Design
  • Subject(s):Science
  • Days:45
  • Grade(s):10, 11, 12
Key Learning:

Scientists conduct investigations for a wide variety of reasons. The practice of science is a multifaceted activity employing certain principles scientists use to guide scientific research and experimentation.
Unit Essential Question(s):
 
 

What influence does the scientific method have on the practice of science?
   
Concept:

Pose A Question
  • Begin your project log in a separate spiral bound notebook or composition book. Your log book is a record of every step of your project including the development of your question, research, experimentation, the argumentation of your results and any reflections you have throughout the process.
  • Your log book serves as the documentation of your work. Don't forget to glue, staple or tape all important items including photographs and photocopies.
  • Your question must be testable and should not be limited to things such as a demonstration, survey or collection.
  • When developing your question consider the following: equipment needs, safety precautions, identification of variables, cost, school rules and regulations, topic interest and availability of research.
  • You also need to pick a question that has prior empirical evidence.
    •
    Concept:

    Conduct Research
  • Identify key words based on your question or problem.
  • Develop research questions and use them as a guide as you look for information. One of your research questions should include the identification of prior empirical evidence.
  • Keep a continual bibliography including the research you conducted to come up with your question.
  • Conduct your research at the media center or on the Internet. Search books, magazines, journals, newspapers, online periodicals, reputable company and organization websites, etc.
  • Other possible sources of information may come from writing companies/organizations or from talking to a community scientist.
  • The information you collect at this time will also help you prepare the research report.
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    Concept:

    Develop a Hypothesis
  • Based on the background research you collected, predict what you think will happen during your experiment.
  • Use an If, then format to develop your hypothesis. Make sure you include both the independent and dependent variable in your hypothesis.
  • Your hypothesis must be testable in other words it should measure both what you do and what will happen.
    • Lesson Essential Question(s):

    How can I use prior empirical evidence to develop a testable question?

     (A)

    Lesson Essential Question(s):

    What can I learn from research about my question?

     (A)

    Lesson Essential Question(s):

    How does my hypothesis reflect the relationship between my independent and dependent variable?

     (A)

    Vocabulary:

    Vocabulary:

    Vocabulary:

    Concept:

    Design an Experiment
  • Develop your procedures and materials list.
  • Be thorough and describe each step in sufficient detail.
  • Determine a way to use technology and math including measurements in metrics.
  • Provide a description and size of all experimental and control groups.
  • Include information pertaining to all variables (independent, dependent and controlled).
  • Conduct at least 3 trials (the more, the better)
  • Make sure your procedures can be easily followed by another person.
  • If you are testing or surveying a group, then make sure your sample size is large enough to produce reliable results. It is not necessary to conduct multiple trials if your sample size is large enough.
    •
    Concept:

    Conduct the Experiment
  • Follow your step-by-step procedures and conduct systematic observations.
  • Make sure you maintain your controlled variables and keep detailed notes throughout the process.
  • Record any potential problems or any procedural adjustments you made during the experiment.
  • Use tables or charts to organize your data as you collect it.
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    Concept:

    Analyze Data
  • Examine the evidence you collected, apply logic and construct a proposed explanation.
  • Examine your results mathematically using percentages, mean, median, range and mode.
  • Calculate an average of your trials (if applicable)
  • Double check your calculations
  • Construct charts and graphs to look for patterns of change.
  • Label graph axes and use units of measure. When graphing your data, remember that the independent variable goes on the x-axis and the dependent variable goes on the y-axis.
  • Determine if you need to collect more data or if you made any mistakes.
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    Lesson Essential Question(s):

    What are the most effective ways to conduct my experiment?

     (A)

    Lesson Essential Question(s):

    How can I use my design to investigate my question?

     (A)

    Lesson Essential Question(s):

    What is the relationship between the variables in my experiment?

     (A)

    Vocabulary:

    Vocabulary:

    Vocabulary:

    Concept:

    Draw Conclusions
  • Justify your explanation
  • Explain what you found out and learned during your experiment. Include key facts from background research to help you explain your results.
  • Explain how the data you collected supports your hypothesis or if you data doesn't support your hypothesis, then explain why you reject your hypothesis.
  • State the relationship between your independent and dependent variable. (if appropriate)
  • Evaluate your experimental procedures and discuss ideas for further testing.
    •
    Concept:

    Communicate Results

    Prepare your final report:

  • Title page
  • Abstract
  • Table of contents
  • Question, variables, and hypothesis
  • Background research (your Research Paper)
  • Materials list
  • Experimental procedure
  • Data analysis and discussion (including data table and graph(s))
  • Conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Bibliography
    • Concept:
    Lesson Essential Question(s):

    How does my data impact what I predicted?

     (A)

    Lesson Essential Question(s):

    What are the most effective ways to share my investigation with others?

     (A)

    Lesson Essential Question(s):
    Vocabulary:

    Vocabulary:

    Vocabulary:

    Additional Info:

    Suggested Websites-

    http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/primer/index.asp

    http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

    http://youth.net/nsrc/sci/sci.index.html

    http://scienceclub.org/scifair.html

    http://www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/

    http://www.scifair.org

    http://www.floridassef.net/

    Resources:

    View As PDF
    Student Learning Map of Unit
    Vocabulary Report
    Unit Timeline