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7th Grade General Science

Summer Packet

Name: _____________________________________ Date: __________________

This will be 5% of your 7th grade Quarter 1 Science Grade.

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Instructions for the 7th Grade Science Summer Packet

This packet is mandatory and must be submitted on the first day of school. ALL work must be shown in the space provided in the packet. The packet will constitute 5% of your grade for Quarter 1. No credit will be given for any correct answers if no work is shown. Have a Wonderful Summer! J

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The Scientific Method

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

What is science? Chances are you have been studying science for a few years now. But science is more than just a few chapters in a textbook. Science is a process. It is a constant search for information about our universe. The word science comes from the Latin word, "scire," meaning "to know." Scientists are like crime scene investigators. They use a process to solve a mystery. The process they use is called the scientific method. Scientists begin this method by stating a problem. This is a question he or she wants answered. Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue? Or how your skin heals when you cut it? If so, you have taken the first step of the scientific method. Before they study it, scientists have to clearly define the problem. Usually they pose a question. For example, they might say, "Which warms faster, water or land?" Another step in the scientific method is to gather information. The scientist might study a body of water and an area of land. She would use instruments to take measurements. She would write notes about what she sees. After all the information is gathered, the scientist gives a possible solution to the problem. This is called a hypothesis. For example, she might say, "Water warms faster than land." Next, the scientist will test the hypothesis by doing an experiment. An experiment has to be set up carefully. First, she would pour a measured amount of water into a container. Then she would put the same amount of soil into another container. She would put the containers under a heat source such as a light. She would put a thermometer in each container. At certain intervals, the scientist would read each thermometer. This is a simple version of an experiment. Every good experiment has at least one variable. A variable is the factor that is being tested. Experiments should also have a control. In a control experiment, everything is set up the same, but the variable is missing. The next step in the scientific method is to record and analyze data. Data includes any measurements taken. It also includes observations made during the experiment. In the soil and water experiment, data would include the temperatures of each container and the times that they were taken. Usually the data is recorded in a table. Then it might be graphed. This helps the scientist to compare the measurements.

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This experiment would be run many times before the scientist could come to a conclusion. If the water heats up faster during each experiment, the scientist could conclude that water heats faster than land. The steps in the scientific method do not have to be done in a certain order. They might be performed differently, depending on the problem. After a conclusion is formed, a theory may be developed. A theory is a logical explanation for events in nature. After the theory is tested many times, it could become a law. A law is a theory that has been accepted as true. However, even laws can be changed if different findings are obtained by other experiments. This is the spirit of science: questions can always be asked. New explanations can always be considered in any event.

1. What is science? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is a variable? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What Is a control? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is a hypothesis? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What is the experiment or procedure? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

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6. What is data?

__________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

7. What is the point of graphing data? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

8. What is a conclusion? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What is a theory? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

10. What is a law? __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

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Variables and Controls

Variable – part of the experiment that is changed. Independent variable – part of the experiment that YOU change Dependent variable – part of the experiment that you MEASURE or collect data on. Control – group that is not tested, used to compare results Constants – part of the experiment that you will keep the same for every trial.

Example You want to see if using fertilizer will make your grass grow better. Independent Variable – amount of fertilizer (this is what you change in the experiment) Dependent Variable – grass growth (this is what you measure, how much your grass grow) Control group – grass that doesn’t get any fertilizer (only water) Constants – same type of fertilizer, grass area, amount of water, amount of sunlight Answer the following questions based on the definitions and examples above.

1. What variables can affect the taste of pizza? __________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What variables can affect the number of fish in a lake? __________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What variables can affect the speed of a runner in a 100- yard dash race? __________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What variables can affect the taste of a soft drink? __________________________________________________________________________________________

5. You test out different soda types to see if they give you more energy.

a. Independent variable ____________________

b. Dependent variable _________________________

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6. I want to see if snows more the farther North you live.

a. Independent variable ____________________

b. Dependent variable _________________________

7. I’m testing to see if you can accelerate faster when you drive a smaller car.

a. Independent variable ____________________

b. Dependent variable _________________________

8. While eating a piece of cherry pie, Rachel Berry started watching Jeopardy. After

getting three answers correct in a row, she decided that cherry pie makes you

smarter, so she decided to take an IQ test and figure it out.

a. Independent variable _________________________

b. What are some constants that he might use? __________________________________

9. Finn Hudson just got a new laser gun and he wanted to see if the laser would be stronger if he used a high voltage battery. He got three different volt batteries and tested the strength by seeing how many sheets of metal the laser could burn through.

a. Independent variable _________________________

b. Dependent variable _________________________

c. What are some constants that he might use? __________________________________

10. Mercedes decided she wanted to grow out her hair and she heard that drinking chocolate milk makes hair grow faster. She decided to test it out over the next couple of weeks.

a. Independent variable _________________________

b. Dependent variable _________________________

c. What are some constants that she might use? _________________________________

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Measurement and Conversions (You will need a calculator for this section)

SI Units and SI Prefixes: Scientists use a set of measuring units called SI, or the International System of Units. The abbreviation SI derives from the French name System International d’Unites. The SI Unit system is used as a universal way to readily interpret data. The following table depicts the SI base units.

You are required to know the SI measuring base units and prefixes. SI Prefixes are metric prefixes that allow for a more convenient way to express SI base units. The following table depicts the SI prefixes.

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Conversions A conversion factor is a ratio of equivalent measurements that is used to convert a quantity expressed in one unit to another unit. Common Conversions:

1. There are 5280 feet in 1 mile

2. There are 0.034 ounces in 1 milliliter

3. There are 0.454 kg in 1 pound

4. There are 1.6 kilometers in 1 mile

5. There are 73 gallons in 2 barrels

6. There are 1.05 quarts in 1 liter

7. There are 4 quarts in 1 gallon

Do the following one-step unit conversions.

1. Convert 0.347 kilometers to miles.

2. Convert 870 kilograms to pounds.

3. Convert 84 ounces to milliliters.

4. Convert 82 miles to feet.

5. Convert 4 gallons to barrels.

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Unit conversions. Convert the following units.

6. 3470 mL = _______ L

7. 13.5 cm = ________ m

8. 0.65 L = _______ mL

9. 234 mL = ________ L

10. 238 g = _______ cg

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Temperature Conversions Kelvin is the SI base unit for temperature. A thermometer is an instrument used to measure temperature. Temperature is measured in Fahrenheit (ºF), Celsius (ºC), or Kelvin (K). Below are the formulas used to convert from one scale of temperature to another.

K = oC + 273 Convert the following temperatures to the desired unit.

11. 11 ºC into ºF.

12. 27 ºF into ºC.

13. 15 º C into K

Name ______________________________""Date ______________________""Section ____________"

Introducing the Engineering Design Process

The Engineering Design Process is a series of eight steps that engineers, people trained to use science and technology, use to solve practical problems. The steps involve identifying the need or problem, researching the problem, developing possible solutions, selecting the best possible solution(s), constructing a prototype, testing and evaluating the solution,

communicating the solution(s), and redesigning. Good engineers will brainstorm with other people to come up with several different ideas before choosing a path to take. When they make their prototype, a working model of their design, they will have to be mindful of constraints. These are factors that limit or restrict

a design, such as only having a limited amount of time or money. Engineers might also make trade-offs, where they give up one benefit in order to obtain another. During this process, engineers will troubleshoot and redesign their products to identify and fix any problems that might occur. When a person develops a new product, they can apply for a patent, which is legal document issued by the government, to protect their invention for a limited time.

True or False If the answer is true, write “true” on the line. If the answer is false, replace the underlined word or phrase with one that will make the sentence correct. Write the new word(s) on the line.

1. ____________________ Engineers will redesign their products when they find flaws.

2. ____________________ It is best to brainstorm by yourself so you can come up with a lot of great ideas.

3. ____________________ A person can sell a product that has a patent if they obtain permission from the patent holder.

4. ____________________ After researching the problem, you should begin constructing a prototype.

5. ____________________ Having access to unlimited resources is an example of a constraint.

6. ____________________ The first step of the Engineering Design Process is to select the best possible solution.

�2016 Adventures in Science

Matching Put the eight steps of the Engineering Design Process in order from first to last:

7. ____ 1st step

8. ____ 2nd step

9. ____ 3rd step

10. ____ 4th step

11. ____ 5th step

12. ____ 6th step

13. ____ 7th step

14. ____ 8th step

A.  Test and evaluate the solution(s)

B.  Construct a prototype

C.  Research the problem

D.  Identify the need or problem

E.  Select the best possible solution(s)

F.  Redesign

G.  Communicate the solution(s)

H.  Develop possible solutions

�2016 Adventures in Science

Short Answer Answer the following questions in the space below. Make sure to use complete sentences.

15. An ice-cream company decides to make a new lower calorie flavor, but testers reported that the flavor wasn’t as good as the original. Is this an example of trade-off? Explain why or why-not.

______________________________________________________________________"

______________________________________________________________________

16. A cookie company decides to develop a new chocolate chip cookie. They decide to test three different recipes at once. What are the advantages of making more than one prototype at a time?

______________________________________________________________________"

______________________________________________________________________"

______________________________________________________________________

17. What are three reasons why you should make your first prototype on a smaller scale?

______________________________________________________________________"

______________________________________________________________________

18. What is an example of a trade-off that a car company might make?

______________________________________________________________________"

______________________________________________________________________"

______________________________________________________________________

Unit 3: The Engineering Design Process U3C2: Engineering Design Process Practice Due Friday, September 28, 2018

19. Define the following terms:

A. Engineering Design Process:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

B. Constraint:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

20.Why should you find out about past solutions to problems?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

21. How does brainstorming help find solutions to problems?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

22.Does every problem have one perfect solution?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction:Amycorrhizaisamutualisticrelationshipbetweenfungalhyphaeandtherootsoftrueplants.Thefungalhyphaeincreasetheabsorptivesurfaceareaoftherootsoftheplantbyaidingintheabsorptionofwater,phosphorus,andothermineralionsfromthesoiltotherootsoftheplant.Theplantisphotosyntheticandprovidesthefunguswithcarbohydrates.Anexperimentwasconductedtodeterminetheeffectofmycorrhizalassociationsonplantgrowth.Twogroupsofplantsweregrown.Onegroupwasplantedinsoilthathadbeensterilized.Theothergroupwasplantedinthesametypeofsoil,butthesoilhadnotbeensterilized.Allotherfactorsremainedthesamebetweenthetwogroups.Theplantswereallowedtogrowfor8weeks.Eachweek,theheight(incentimeters)ofeachplantwasmeasured.Thepicturebelowshowstheplantsafter8weeksofgrowth.Thedatatableprovidesquantitativedataonthegrowthoftheplantsoverthe8-weekperiod.Plotthedatafromtheexperimentonthegraphbelow.

Week PlantsGrowninSterilizedSoil

PlantsGrowninNonsterilizedSoil

1 0.8cm 2.0cm2 1.5cm 5.5cm3 2.0cm 8.7cm4 2.3cm 10.0cm5 2.4cm 12.0cm6 3.8cm 16.2cm7 5.0cm 19.1cm8 6.0cm 25.0cm

GraphingandDataAnalysisWorksheet

Name:________________________________________________

Date:________________________

1. Whathypothesisisbeingtestedinthisexperiment?_____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. Whatvariableisbeingchangedinthisexperiment?_______________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. Astatementintheintroductionread,“Allotherfactorsremainedthesamebetweenthetwogroups.”

Makealistoffactorsthatmustremainconstantintheexperiment. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Referringtoquestion3,whyisitessentialthatthesefactorsbekeptconstant? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5. Comparethegrowthofthetwogroupsofplantsinthisexperiment. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________6. Readtheintroductionandprovideanexplanationforwhyonegroupofplantsgrewbetterthanthe

othergroupofplants.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Whatcausedtheplantsgrowninthesterilizedsoiltogrowsomuchslowerthantheplantsgrownin

thenonsterilizedsoil? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________8. Doesthisexperimentindicatethatmycorrhizaearenecessaryforthepropergrowthofplants?

Explain. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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