vitruvian man lab for freshmen biology

VITRUVIAN MANScientific Method and Experimental Design Investigation

Objective• Design an experiment, identifying your dependent and

independent variables, to test a Vitruvian theory

Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci

Your task• With your lab team:

• Choose 1 of Vitruvius’ theories to test

The Vitruvian Man - Scientific Method Activity

Vitruvius, a Renaissance architect, described the dimensions of the human body. They are listed below. His theory was illustrated by the artist and scientist, Leonardo Di Vinci in the year 1490. Your task is to design an experiment to test one of more of Vitruvius’s theories. You need to propose a problem and hypothesis, decide what materials you will need to test your hypothesis, design a procedure, collect data (repeated trials), analyze and graph your data, discuss your data (and any possible sources of error) and draw conclusions. Finally, you will share your information with the class. Vitruvius’s Theories

From fingertip to fingertip, the span of a person’s arms is equal to his/her height. From the roots of the hair to the bottom of the chin is the tenth of a person’s

height From the bottom of the chin to the top of the head is one eighth of a person’s

height The distance from the bottom of the chin to the nose and from the roots of the

hair to the eyebrows should be equal, each comprising 1/3 the length of the face. From the bottom of the knee to the bottom of the foot is equal to ¼ of a person’s

height. The distance from the outer edge of one shoulder to the outer edge of the

opposite shoulder is equal to ¼ of a person’s height.

Your task• With your lab team:

• Ask a question about the theory • e.g. “Is it accurate to say that

from the bottom of the knee to the bottom of the foot is equal to ¼ of a person’s height?”

Your task• With your lab team:

• Propose a hypothesis about the question in the “if…, then...” format• e.g. If 20 people are measured for knee to foot length and overall height,

then 100% of the people will have a knee to foot lenght that is ¼ their height.”

Your task• With your lab team:

• Decide what materials you will need and describe how you will collect your data (your procedure)

• What is your independent variable?• What is your dependent variable?

Your task• With your lab team:

• Gather your data • Your team needs to be consistent with HOW you gather data

• Measure in centimeters or inches?• From what part to what part?• Shoes or no shoes?

Your task• With your lab team:

• Discuss and analyze your data • Put your data into a table • Make a graph of your data• Draw conclusions about your hypothesis based on the data you

collected

Theory 1• From fingertip to fingertip, the span of a person’s arms is

equal to his/her height. (are they equal?)

Theory 2• From the roots of the hair to the bottom of the chin is the

tenth of a person’s height (if you multiple this distance by 10, is it the same as their height?)

Theory 3• From the bottom of the chin to the top of the head is one

eighth of a person’s height (if you take their height and divide by 8, does that equal this distance?)

Theory 4• The distance from the bottom of the chin to the nose and

from the roots of the hair to the eyebrows should be equal, each comprising 1/3 the length of the face. (are they equal?)

Theory 5• From the bottom of the knee to the bottom of the foot is

equal to ¼ of a person’s height. (if you multiple this distance by 4, does it equal their height?)

Theory 6• The distance from the outer edge of one shoulder to the

outer edge of the opposite shoulder is equal to ¼ of a person’s height. (if you multiple this distance by 4, does it equal their height?)

SCIENCEMINI-POSTER LAB PRESENTATIONS

Your task• With your lab team:

• Put all of your work into a mini-poster to share with the class

Your Goal• Work with your team to:

• Graph your results • Analyze your results • Draw conclusions about your hypothesis• Identify any sources of error

Mini-Poster Set-up7 areas:

1. Title2. Introduction: write the purpose of the lab here3. Hypothesis: write the hypothesis4. Methodology: materials and procedure5. Results: data table and graph6. Conclusion: explain the results and state

whether you accept or reject the hypothesis7. Critique: includes sources of error

Graph your resultsName of person measured Length of wingspan_ Length of _height___ 1. Amy 160 160 2. Ben 174 172 3. Carla 144 1444. Diego 185 180 5. Emily 151 151 6. Frank 147 1477. Gina 136 140 8. Hector 167 1679. Ivan 185 185 10. Jasmine 155 160

How do I graph this?

Pie chart

Bar Graph