Lab#1 - How is a controlled experiment formed?

Have you ever wondered whether light or dark clothing would be more comfortable on a hot, sunny day?  Scientists conduct scientific experiments to solve problems like this.  They use a process called the scientific method.

Problem

How does color affect heat absorption?

Hypothesis

I hypothesize that…  I believe that….  I think that…  I predict that…

  

Materials

Virtual Lab

Procedure

Follow the procedure found on the Virtual Lab CD-Rom.

Results

Jacket Color	Denim 'C
Black
Blue
Green
Yellow
White

  

Jacket Color	Wool 'C
Black
Blue
Green
Yellow
White

Jacket Color	Nylon 'C
Black
Blue
Green
Yellow
White

  

Analysis

1. What was the problem you were trying to solve?

2.  What was the independent variable? 

3. What was the dependent variable?

4. What were your constants?

5. What else could you have tested in this experiment?  Explain.

6. How does the color of the jacket affect heat absorption?

7. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the computer model you used in the experiment.  How could you go about conducting this experiment with your jackets?

Conclusion

What was your problem?

Restate your hypothesis.  Was it right? wrong?  why or why not?

What did you learn in this lab?

What did you like about this lab?

What were some challenges you had to deal with?

What could you do next with this problem?  What other tests could you perform?

Write down any other additional thoughts, observations, inferences, etc.

Notebook Check #1

1. HW – What are five things that you know about Science now that you didn’t before?

2. HW – Add 10 more words to each list: physical science, earth science, life science.

3. Chapter 1 Section 1: Vocabulary, Reading Check, Blue Questions, 
Self Check #1-5 (61A,61C,620)  Self Check #2,4,5 (61B,621)

Textbook Scavenger Hunt

 Textbook Scavenger Hunt

1. What is the title of your text?
2. Find the Table of Contents: What is the title of the first chapter?  “What is science” is the title of which Section?
3. On what page does the “Student Resources” begin?
4. What kind of information can be found in the “Science Skills Handbook”?
5. Find the page titled, “HOW TO… Use Your Science Book” and answer the following questions (hint: It’s located just before page 1.)

  

1. Read “Before You Read,” what is the difference between Review Vocabulary and New Vocabulary?
2. What is a foldable?
3. Read “As You Read.”  Where are the Student Resources found?
4. Read “In Lab” and “Before a Test.”  What are 4 key resources that can help you be a successful test taker?

6. Go to the “Student Resources” section: What are the steps of the Scientific Method? 
7. What is found on page 388?
8. Where is the Index?  What kind of information does the Index provide?
9. If you wanted to look up information on Force, where would you go to find the pages that have information on this subject?

10) If you wanted to find the definition ecology, where would you find this information?

    11) Look on pp. 4, 134, and 282 and find the “Science Journal”; what kind of information does the Science Journal provide? What is a journal?

   12)  Find the New Vocabulary on p. 6, where can you find the definitions to these words?  (hint: There are two places in your text where definitions are located.)

  13)  Find Chapter 1 Section 1

a) What is the title of the Section?

b) Find the Reading Check on p. 7; what is the purpose of it?

c) Find the Blue Question on p. 8; Infer what its purpose is.

d) Find the Section Review on p. 11; what is the purpose of the Summary?  In what way would the Self Check questions be helpful to you?

Welcome to Mr. Considine's Science Scholars Class of 2015!

Here are some requirements and tips for this school year:
1) Bring a blue/black pen, a pencil, a ruler, AND a colored marking pen (red, yellow, orange, etc) to class every day.
2) You need two marble notebooks: one for Science notes and one for Science Lab.
3) Your HW will be completed in your Science notebook; the only HW that is to be done on loose leaf paper are Science Articles, which will be turned in each Friday, unless notified about a change.
4) You must bring in a Science folder which will be kept in class as your Portfolio.

Mr. C's Classroom Dos and Don'ts
1) DO come to class on time; if you are late and without a pass, you will make the time up on YOUR time.
2) DO bring bottled water, but leave all other liquids at home.
3) DO keep your area clean and dispose of all trash into the garbage bin, but DON'T do this while Mr. C is teaching.
4) DO enjoy your breakfast and lunch, but DON'T bring food into Mr.C's class.  Food attracts mice and insects which spread disease.
5) DO keep your phones and all electronic devices on mute (no vibrate) and in your bags or you will pick it up after school on YOUR time.  If this becomes a recurring problem, then your parents will have to pick it up themselves.
6) DO raise your hand if you want to ask a question or contribute to the discussion, for it is important to keep ORDER in the classroom. 

*ATTENTION CLASS OF 2015: THIS IS THE FIRST POST FOR THE 2012/2013 SCHOOL YEAR*
*ALL POSTS BELOW THIS ARE FOR LAST YEAR'S STUDENTS*