Airplane

We have been discussing the “Scientific Method.” It is a way of figuring things out.

Now we will focus on the “Experiment” or “Test” part of the Scientific Method.

1. Make up a funny sentence using the following words:

a) Manipulated Variableb) Responding Variable c) Controls d) Experimental Controle) If. then. .because. f) Record datag) Repeated trials h) Pizza

-If you throw your airplane when you’re not supposed to, it will be taken away.

-Fold your airplane.

-When you’re done, please wait patiently.

-Follow instructions on where and when to throw your plane.

• Manipulated Variable- what will you change.

• Responding Variable- what’s measured that changes due to your manipulation.

• Controlled variablesssssssssssseverything else that is kept the

same.

• Experimental control: what we compare to to see that something different happened.

• Responding Variable:– What will you

measure?• Distance, height,

speed, spins, ???

• Make a graph to record your responding variable each time you throw.

trials Distance??????

1 14 m

2 13 m

3 Etc. . . . . . .

~

39

40

Go ahead and throw under control.

If you get out of control you will be asked to stop.

Average your throws

• Add up the measurements.

• Divide by the number of trials you threw.

• What is the average?

• Manipulated Variable- what will you change.

• Responding Variable- what’s measured that changes due to your manipulation.

• Controlled variablesssssssssssseverything else that is kept the same.

• Experimental control: what we compare to to see that something different happened.

Lab write-up

• You will include the following slides in a lab write-up

• Due __?____

1. Question:

What’s the problem (question) we want to figure out? Include both your manipulated and responding variable.

--”What is the effect of the manipulated variable on the responding variable?”

2. Hypothesis:

“If _manipulated variable___increases/decreases then__responding variable__increases/decreases because ____________________”.

3. Experiment

i. What will your experiment be?

ii. What materials do you need? Make a list and explain.

iii. Draw a picture.

iv. Describe your procedure so a 3rd grader could repeat your experiment.

iv. Include the below in your procedure.

• State you need to measure and record your data in your procedure.

• State you need to repeat the ENTIRE experiment 40 times. Or 50, or 60. . . .

• Calculate and average your 40 trials before manipulation and after.

The “Experimental Control” is what we will compare to. What will it be in this activity?

(before modification)

Copy the following chart: What are your answers?

Manipulated Variable

(What you’re going to change)

Responding Variable

(What gets changed.

You measure it)

Control Variables. Constants

(They remain

the same)

Experimental control (What

you’re comparing to)

1. 1. 1.

2.

3.

4. Data, table, (copy onto paper)

Trials Responding variable measured before modification

Responding variable measured after modification

1.

2.

3.

Copy from old chart

Fill in as you do your experiment

4.

5.

6.

4. More Data, chart

• This graph shows the effect of the manipulated variable (flaps) on the responding variable (distance).

13

13.5

14

14.5

15

15.5

16

Distance (m)

no flaps flaps

manipulation

Airplane wing flaps3-D Column 1

4. More Data, table

• This graph shows the distance thrown before and after manipulation.

Airplane wing change

02468

1012141618

1 2 3 4

trials

distance (m)before changeafter change

5. Analysis

Average distance before manipulation14 meters

Vs.Average distance after manipulation

16 meters

16 m – 14 m = 2 m diff

The airplane went on average 2 meters further with tail flaps than without tail flaps.

5. Still More Analysis

• Write a paragraph explaining your analysis. Include your averages and what your chart suggests.

• Don’t mention a conclusion yet. Don’t mention your hypothesis yet. Just mention what your averages and chart tell you.

6. Conclusion

i. Was your hypothesis supported or not supported based on your data?

1. Restate your hypothesis.

2. Include supporting data from your data table.

3. Explain how these data support your conclusion.

ii. How does this investigation help YOU to understand the natural world?

iii. What could you do next time?

Computer work• Type lab info from notes in a logical order.• Create the 5 sections:

– Purpose– Procedure– Data– Analysis– Conclusion

• You may write in paragraph or list form.• Once done, check rubric and make sure

your report includes all requirements.

Double checkDo you have a title page?

Airplane flaps experiment

John Smith9/19/07

Report prepared for:Mr. Penner

Biology

FormattingPurpose

Question What is the . . . .

Hypothesis If wing flaps are increased . . . . . because . . .

Procedure

My experiment was to . . . .(summary)

Materials 1. paper for making the planes

2. . . .

Procedure 1. Acquire a piece of paper

Section #2

• It is best to write down your procedure in the following format rather than what the rubric says:

i. What will your experiment be?

ii. What materials do you need? Make a list and explain.

iii. Describe your procedure so a 3rd grader could repeat your experiment.

iv. Draw a picture.

You don’t have to follow the rubric, BUT when you’re done make sure that what’s required in the rubric is in your procedure section.

So, in your procedure, do you have:manipulated variable statedcontrol variable statedlogical stepsetc.

Other

• If you can’t easily locate some of the items on the rubric then– Find them yourself and write what it is

ie. (manipulated variable)

– Or write the requirment and then write what the answer is.

Ie. The airplane flap is the manipulated variable

Do not use:

• It

• Then

• This

• Them

Instead use:

The airplane

3rd

The distance

The throws

Etc.

Tables

• How do you make them?

1. First go to insert, second insert text box

2. Create text box on screen

3. Click on table and insert table

Computers tomorrow

• Corrected project due Monday in class.