Writing a Scientific Lab Report

Lab Title Dependent Variable VS. Independent Variable Example: Color chosen by the mealworm most often VS. colors presented to the mealworm

Statement of the Problem Do Mealworms see color?

Hypothesis If (Independent Variable) then (Dependent Variable)!! Example: If a mealworm is put on a paper surrounded by different colors (red, green, yellow, blue and black) it will crawl to black 80% of the time.

Data!!!! DATE AND TIME! Sketch and QUALITATIVE Observations!

Data Table Color chosen by the mealworm VS. colors presented RedGreenYellowBlueBlack Worm #1111 Worm #212 Worm #3111 Worm #4111 Worm #5111 Totals24342

Conclusion 1 st Paragraph – Restate Hypothesis and discuss if it was correct or not. – The original hypothesis stated that the mealworm would crawl to black 80% of the time – The hypothesis was proven incorrect – A pattern was not established.

Conclusion 2 nd Paragraph – Data Analysis – The experiment showed that mealworms do not exhibit a preference for color. – Three trials were conducted with 5 different mealworms. – The worms were placed in the middle of a paper made up of different colors. – The worms all choose a different direction for each trial. – Worm # 2 was the only one that went to the same color more than one time.

Conclusion Unplanned Variables: – ANYTHING that went wrong during the lab! – Maybe when you put one of the worms in the center of the paper it did not move!

Conclusion Similar Experiment: – Similar Experiment to this lab would be to test other mealworm senses! – Make sure that you describe in detail how you would conduct the extension!!

Conclusion Real Life Situation: – The results show that mealworms do not see color. – Color is not important in a mealworms existence. – They live in a dark environment surrounded by saw dust or wood chips. – They probably use other senses for navigating or locating food.