Week One Scientific Method and Experimental Design RustyDog Productions July, 2010

Virginia SOL The student will plan and conduct investigations in which: data are organized into tables showing repeated trials and means; variables are defined; metric units (SI—International System of Units) are used; models are constructed to illustrate and explain phenomena; sources of experimental error are identified; dependent variables, independent variables, and constants are identified; variables are controlled to test hypotheses, and trials are repeated; continuous line graphs are constructed, interpreted, and used to make predictions; interpretations from a set of data are evaluated and defended; and an understanding of the nature of science is developed and reinforced. Lesson Plan

Vocabulary

Scientific Method

Experimental Design

Link to Concept map of the Scientific Method Review the steps of the Scientific Method handout

What is the Problem? My Grandfather clock is running fast. How do I adjust the timing? Research How does a Grandfather clock keep time? Handout

Variables in a Pendulum SPEED OF SWING – PERIOD OF PENDULUM

Constants in a pendulum

MASS OF BOB OR WEIGHT ANGLE OF RELEASE LENGTH OF STRING OR WIRE SPEED OF SWING (SECONDS PER SWING) PERIOD

THE HYPOTHESIS CHANGE ONLY ONE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE, WHICH SHALL IT BE? a, m or L IF ___(independent variable)_____ IS __(describe change)___ IF THE IS INCREASED THEN __(dependent variable)___ will __(describe change)__ THEN THE OF THE PENDULUM WILL INCREASE

THE EXPERIMENT Levels of the IV 2m 1.5m 1.0m 0.5m Number of Trials IV: Length of String DV: Period of Pendulum Constants:

DATA TABLE Length (m) Period of Pendulum (sec) Trial 1Trial 2Trial 3Trial 4AverageClass Average

Run the Experiment Go to the following simulation and gather data for the levels of the Independent variable:

Graphing the Data Input the data into Logger Pro – Lengths of String – Class Average of Periods Graphing tutorial

COMPLETED GRAPH

CONCLUSIONS 1. What was the purpose of the experiment? 2. What were the major findings? 3. Was the hypothesis supported by the data? 4.What possible explanations can you offer for the findings? 5.What recommendations do you have for further study and for improving the experiment?

Follow Up Activity Problem: OUT OF THE 100 BEAN SEEDS I PLANTED IN MY GARDEN, ONLY 35 GERMINATED INTO HEALTHY PLANTS? HOW CAN I INCREASE THE PERCENT OF BEAN SEEDS THAT GERMINATE? handout

Extension A pendulum moves in a rhythmic pattern in a gravitational field. Using FreeSerif software, create an animated GIF of an everyday rhythmic motion similar to a pendulum. Just for Fun