Nature of Science
Magic Grow Lab 1 Observations
Name:___________________________________
Period______
Making Observations
Purpose: To practice making qualitative and quantitative observations.
Background Information: One of the most important skills in science is that of OBSERVATION. Most of the
time we think of observation as something we do with our eyes; when we see something, we observe it.
However, all five of our senses can be used to make observations: sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell.
A good scientist is observant and notices things in the world. She or he notices what's going on in the
world and becomes curious about what's happening. Observing can include reading and studying what others
have done in the past because scientific knowledge is collective.
Observations in science are called DATA.
We can make two kinds of observations: those that are FACTS, and those that are OPINIONS. Facts
are those things that are true for everybody. A scientist looks seriously at information and attempts to avoid all
sources of bias in making observations. Opinions are beliefs based on personal preference. Not used in
science!
Data may also be QUALITATIVE or QUANTITATIVE
Qualitative data is information that is hard to measure, count, or describe in numbers. It describes the
qualities or characteristics of something. Examples are colors, tastes, and sounds.
Quantitative data is information that can be expressed in numbers. If information can be counted or measured,
then it is quantitative data. Tools are often used to collect quantitative data. Examples include amounts,
temperature, mass, and length.
Observations are usually written down, or recorded in DATA TABLES or DATA CHARTS.
Tables and charts help keep data organized and easy to understand.
Part 1. Magic Grow Lab – Pre-Lab Observations and Metric Measuring Practice
Materials:
Required Items for Magic Grow Capsule
Observations
3 Magic Grow ® capsules
Sharpie
Ruler
Baggie
Triple Beam Balance
Stapler
Hand lens
Capsule #1
staple staple
Period __
staple staple
**Set-up
your
baggie
like this.
Procedure:
1. Work with your lab group, but everyone must
record the data in their lab notebooks. LEAVE
SPACE FOR YOUR TITLE
2. The next section should be titled:
INITIAL OBSERVATIONS
Copy the data tables into your lab notebook in
blue or black ink. Use the data tables to organize
Table Group______
the quantitative data and the qualitative data.
3. Use the divided baggie** to identify the capsules.
4. Observe each capsule. Make sure all of the
Capsule #2
Capsule #3
observations are facts, not opinions.
Table 1: Quantitative Grow Capsule Observations
Capsule #
Color
Description
Drawing
Table 2: Quantitative Grow Capsule Observations
Capsule #
Length (mm)
Diameter (mm)
Mass (g)
Magic Grow Lab 2 Questions
Nature of Science
Asking & Answering Questions
Purpose: To practice writing research questions.
Background Information: Scientists ask questions and then try to answer those questions using
scientific methods. Different kinds of questions need different kinds of scientific investigations.
Some investigations involve observing and describing objects, organisms, or events; some
involve collecting specimens; some involve researching more information; some involve doing a
fair test or experimenting; some involve discovery of new objects and phenomena; and some
involve making models.
When a scientific investigation is used to try to answer a question, the question is
called a RESEARCH QUESTION.
We can divide investigations into two general categories: DESCRIPTIVE or QUALITATIVE and
EXPERIMENTAL.
Descriptive or qualitative investigations include building models, inventing, dissecting, making
observations and describing them, interviewing, collecting specimens among others. Although
these are sometimes called experiments, they are not really experimental.
Experimental investigations involve the control or manipulation of variables. Variables
are the parts of the experiment that can change, or vary.
Effect and Affect are good words to use when writing a research question.
Effect is a noun; it refers to the outcome or result of an investigation. Affect is a verb;
it means to influence or act upon something.
Examples:
What is the effect of different types of fertilizer on the growth of plants?
How do different types of fertilizer affect the growth of plants?
Magic Grow ® toys are soft, expanding foam in a gelatin capsule. When the capsule is
soaked in water, the gelatin dissolves and the toys change shape and grow.
Observe the Magic Grow ® capsule. What kinds of questions can you ask about it?
Write 3 possible questions trying to correctly use the terms effect or affect
(see the Examples above!) You may write them here first, but ultimately you will write them in
your lab notebook. The section heading should be: RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. ____________________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________________________
For the purpose of this experiment, we will all answer the same question: (Please write it in your notebook!)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Magic Grow Lab 3 Hypothesis & Expt. Design
Nature of Science
Developing a Hypothesis
Purpose: To practice making hypotheses using If .. , Then. .. statements.
Background Information: Sometimes scientists use a HYPOTHESIS to help guide an
experimental investigation. A hypothesis is a special kind of PREDICTION. It is an
educated guess about the relationship between the independent and dependent variable.
A hypothesis is testable; an experimental can be done based on the hypothesis.
One way to write a hypothesis is to use an "If ... , Then .... " statement.
What effect does the independent variable have on the dependent variable?
Or what does the independent variable cause the dependent variable to do?
Write an If, ... Then... hypothesis using this format:
IF the independent variable changes, THEN the dependent variable will change.
Of course, in a real hypothesis, you will state the actual variables and
describe the type of changes you expect.
Given this research question:
How does changing the temperature of water affect how long it takes a grow capsule to
fully dissolve?
Write two possible hypotheses for this research question using an IfIthen statement.
You may write them here, but you MUST include them in your lab notebook. Star the
one you are testing.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Designing an Experiment
Purpose: To practice designing an experimental investigation.
Background Information: One way to investigate an answer to a question is by doing an
EXPERIMENT. A true experiment involves VARIABLES.
In an experiment, scientists ask a question about how the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE will
affect the DEPENDENT VARIABLE. Some factors are held CONSTANT – they do not change
during the experiment; these are called CONTROLS.
Given this research question answer the following in your lab notebook under the
topic "variables"
Does the temperature of water affect how long it takes a Magic Grow@ capsule to dissolve?
1. Identify the independent variable in this question.
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Identify the dependent variable in this question.
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Identify at least 3 factors that would need to be controlled.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Magic Grow Lab 4 Expt. Design
NOTE: In your lab notebook leave a page titled "ABSTRACT" before entering materials.
Given thdese materials: (please place these in a numbered list in your lab notebook)
3 Magic Grow® capsules
Ice
Ice Bucket
3 250 ml Beakers
500 mL Water
Plastic baggie
3 Thermometers
Hot Plate
Timing Device
Write a procedure to test this hypothesis; Use the graphic organizer below to help you plan
what to do. Do not use personal pronouns such as "I", "you", "we" etc. Include your FINAL
procedures in your lab notebook (after they have been checked by your teacher)
Steps (…just 1 item at a time…)
(What needs to be done, in detail, including units…materials, how much, how often, when, time,
temperature, etc...) Don’t forget to include cleaning, drying and turning off all equipment…
You may use another sheet of paper if necessary.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Nature of Science
Magic Grow Lab 5 Data
Collecting Data
Purpose: To practice making organized data tables
Background Information: Data gathered during an experimental investigation must be
collected in some organized manner. A DATA TABLE is usually used. The data table is
frequently designed as part of the experimental design.
Quality tables always have a title.
The TITLE describes exactly what the data in the table refers to.
Tables include the variables and the units of measurement.
The units of measurement are put in parentheses. They are always metric units.
The goal is to collect data that can be graphed so that pattern, trends, or relationships
can be seen.
Make your sample data collection tables on a blank sheet of paper: (one for qualitative data
and one for quantitative data)…If you are totally stuck…ask your instructor for help. USE a
Ruler!!!!!!!!!!
Stop!
Have your procedures and data table checked!…Do not proceed further
until both the procedures and the data table have been approved!
Once approved, copy the procedures into your lab notebook under the
heading "PROCEDURES" (leave space to add anything else you do as you
run the experiment). Next create a section for data called "DATA" then
copy in your approved data tables. then run the experiment, and record
your data.
Graphing the Data
Purpose: To practice graphing data and looking for patterns, trends, or relationships.
Background Information: We use graphs in science to show comparisons, patterns, trends,
and relationships in data.
BAR GRAPHS are used to compare data.
LINE GRAPHS show trends, especially over time, in data.
SCATTER PLOTS let us see relationships in data.
All graphs have some things in common:
 The dependent variable is plotted on the Y-axis (the vertical axis)
- Units of measurement must be included
 The independent variable is plotted on the X-axis (the horizontal axis)
 Scales & intervals need to be appropriate to the data
 (i.e. USE AS MUCH OF THE GRAPH AS POSSIBLE!)
 The Titles needs to describe the data that is in the graph.
Graph the data from the Magic® Grow capsule investigation in the sample graph on the next
page. Once you are finished have your teacher check it and copy it into your lab notebook:
What kind of graph will you be the best to use with this data? (bar, line, scatter plot?)
_____________________________________________________________________
Magic Grow Lab 6 Data Graph
The dependent variable is plotted on the Y-axis (include the units of measurement)
Title of graph goes at the top (example - Figure 1: ……) the title describes the data that was graphed
The independent variable is plotted on the X-axis (include the units of measurement)
Magic Grow Lab 7 Data Analysis
Analysis
Add a section in your lab report called "Data Analysis" This will be a subject of your data. A
graph tells a story. Look at the information in your graph. What does it tell you about the
relationship between water temperature and dissolving time? Explain your answer. You
can draft it here, but you will put the final copy in your lab notebook.
I.E. explain your data in words…no conclusions here…just the facts!!!!
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Sources of Error “SOE” Are not mistakes…they are factors that were not held constant
and that may have somehow affected the outcome of the experiment. In other words these would
be things other than your independent variable that influenced your dependant variable.
List at least 3 SOE’s & for each one explain how this SOE could have affected the results.
You can draft it here, but you will put the final copy in your lab notebook.
___________________________________________________________________________
1.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Magic Grow Lab 8 Conclusions
Nature 0 f Science
Writing the Conclusion
Background Information: After the data has been analyzed, a CONCLUSION is
written. A conclusion is a written answer to the question. Sometimes the data you
obtain in an experiment do not answer the question you asked.
Whatever conclusion is drawn it is always, always supported by actual data from
the experiment. An answer without evidence is meaningless!
Write a conclusion for your experiment below:
 1st Restate the question and your hypothesis.
 2nd Explain whether or not the data supported your hypothesis.
Remember a hypothesis never right or wrong, just supported or
not supported by the data. You can learn as much when your
hypothesis is not supported as you do when it is!
 You must give actual data [evidence] from your experiment to back up
what you say.
 3rd Explain what could be done in a future experiment to avoid each of the
SOE’s.
You can draft your conclusions here, but you will put the final copy in your lab
notebook.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
You will need more paper….attach your own please
Lab Notebook Check list
1. ____ Do you have your title in the index? (see the handout on preparing your lab
notebook)
2. ____ Is your title in the form of "The Determination of the Effect of (your IV) on (your
DV), by (your method of analysis, usually "Observation")" ?
3. ____ Is your title on the first page of your lab?
4. ____ Do you have the next section clearly labeled "Initial Observations"
5. ____ Do you have quantitative and qualitative data tables present?
6. ____ Is the next section labeled "Research Questions" with three sample questions and
a final question?
7. ____Is the next section labeled "Hypothesis" with two hypotheses in if/then format? Did
you star the one you are testing?
8. ____ Is the next section labeled" Variables"?
9. ____ Have you listed the IV, DV and three controlled variables in this section?
10. ____ Did you leave a page for your abstract? It should be titled "ABSTRACT".
11. ____ Do you have a section called "MATERIALS" with all of the materials in a
numbered list after the heading?
12. ____ Do you have a section called "PROCEDURES" with all of the procedures in a
numbered list after the heading? Make sure to include EVERYTHING you did. It is
critical that people can reproduce your work, as that is the nature of science.
13. ____ Do you have a section called "DATA"? Do you have both quantitative and
qualitative data tables in it?
14. ____ Do you have a graph that takes up a full page? Have you remembered to label
everything?
15. ____ Have you done your data analysis in the data section?
16. ____ Is the next section labeled "SOURCES OF ERROR"?
17. ____ Are your sources of error truly things that have influenced your experiment
unintentionally?
18. ____ Did you explain how your sources of error might influence your data?
19. ____ Is your next section labeled "CONCLUSIONS".
20. ____ Have you used the rubric to check all of your work?
21. ____ Did you have a friend peer review your lab report?
22. ____ Did you self grade your lab report?
Reminders:





Do NOT use personal pronouns such as "I", "me", "our", "my" etc.
Make sure everything is in pen.
Do not use white-out. Simply cross out any mistakes.
Major lab reports are worth DOUBLE a unit exam. It is critical that you take the time
to do well on them.
Use the rubric to help you!