Paper Towel Lab
Name_________________________________
DUE MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
Our first 7th grade unit is the “Nature of Science” unit, with our main goal being the ability to
create our own scientific investigation. This lab will show me that you have learned how to do
this, and it will account for a large part of your grade this 9-weeks. Luckily, you will have PLENTY
of help on this lab from Mr. Ross and your peers! I will be providing you with the first part of your
investigation and a format for how to complete your lab report.
QUESTION: Please circle one of the following questions as the question you will investigate. If you
decide that you want to test a different question, please let me know.
Which brand of paper towel is the strongest when wet?
Which brand of paper towel is the strongest when dry?
Which brand of paper towel is most absorbent?
Which brand of paper towel tears the least when scrubbing a rough surface (most durable)?
Which brand of paper towel is softest?
LAB PROCESS: You will work with groups of students working on answering the same question
that you chose. Together you will complete the scientific method. You already have the
question part done, but the real challenge will be creating your own scientific testing process.
You will have 2 days in class to complete your own investigation and then until Monday,
October 17 to complete your lab report. Here are the requirements for your lab report and
format that you must include:
1. Your research question.
2. A section describing any observations you’ve made before the investigation (e.g.
commercials you’ve seen, experiences from home, what you see, ect.)
3. A hypothesis written as an “If…,then…” statement
4. An investigation section that gives step-by-step instructions on how you did your
investigation. You must test at least 3 brands of paper towels and have quantitative
measurements (measurements that are in number form). Diagrams may be useful here!
5. A section on “Data” that includes your measurements AND a graph of your results.
6. A conclusion section. EACH PERSON MUST COMPLETE THEIR OWN CONCLUSION SECTION
AND ATTACH IT TO THE LAB FOR COMPLETION.
CONCLUSION: Your conclusion must answer the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What was the result of your investigation? What did you learn? (2 points)
How did you make sure your investigation was a controlled investigation? (2 points)
What were your independent and dependent variables? (2 points)
What things did you do to make sure your investigation was not biased? Give specific
examples. (2 points)
5. Did anything during your investigation go not as planned? This is a time to talk about
how there may be some errors in your investigation AND what can be done to
improve the lab if it were performed again. (2 points)
Individual Grades: you will also receive a grade for doing your fair share that your group
members will give you, so make sure you don’t just sit back and watch the others work!
Grammar/
Spelling
Question
Observation
Hypothesis
Eight or more
grammatical
and/or spelling
mistakes in the
group lab
report
Group
Evaluations
Average
Two or Three
grammatical
and/or spelling
mistakes in the
group lab report
0
1
2
3
1) Hypothesis
written incorrectly
and missing
question and
observations OR
2) No hypothesis
and missing either
question or
observations.
1)Question and
Observations are
absent OR 2)the
hypothesis is
absent, OR 3)
hypothesis is
written incorrectly
and missing either
question or
observations.
Question or
observations are
absent, or
hypothesis is not
written correctly.
Missing a clear
procedure,
disorganized
data, and no
graph for the
data table
0-1
Conclusion
Four or Five
grammatical
and/or spelling
mistakes in the
group lab report
All three
portions are
missing from the
lab report.
0
Investigation
and Data
Six or seven
grammatical
and/or spelling
mistakes in the
group lab report
Conclusion
absent or
questions
incorrectly
answered
1
Any of the
following apply:
No procedures
section, or no
data table, or no
graph.
OR
Data table and
graph and
procedures are
unclear
2-3
Three questions
incorrect or
missing
0
4
Not doing what
you should be,
didn’t help a bit
Was often off
task, did a little bit
of work.
0-1
2
(There’s a chance for bonus points)
2
Two of the
following apply:
Procedures may
be unclear
OR
Graph is
inaccurate
OR
Data Table is
missing or
disorganized
4-5
Two questions
incorrect or missing
6
Sometimes off
task, did some
work.
4
One or fewer
grammatical
and/or spelling
mistakes in the
group lab report
4
Question is
present,
Observations are
present, and
Hypothesis is
written as an
“If…then…”
statement
3
4
One of the
following apply:
Procedures may
be unclear
OR
Graph is
inaccurate
OR
Data Table is
missing or
disorganized
Lab procedures
are detailed and
written as step-bystep information.
Data is clearly
organized in a
table and
includes an
accurate Graph
displaying the
data.
6-7
8
One question
incorrect or
missing
All questions
answered
correctly and
thoughtfully
8
10
You did your fair
share and mostly
stayed on task
Your group
couldn’t function
without you
6
8
Total_________________/30 points