Week One Scientific Method

and Experimental

DesignRustyDog Productions July, 2010

Virginia SOLThe 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?

ResearchHow 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 IV2m 1.5m 1.0m 0.5m

Number of Trials

IV: Length of String

DV: Period of Pendulum

Constants: 1. 2.

3. 4.

DATA TABLELength

(m)Period of Pendulum (sec)

  Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Average Class Average

0.5            

1.0            

1.5            

2.0            

Run the Experiment

Go to the following simulation and gather datafor the levels of the Independent variable:

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/pendulum-lab

Graphing the Data

Input the data into Logger Pro

– Lengths of String

– Class Average of Periods

Graphing tutorial

COMPLETED GRAPH

CONCLUSIONS1. 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