WIND TURBINE EFFICIENCY CHALLENGE LAB REPORT
It is NOT required to type out this lab report, but I highly encourage you to do this. If you choose to write it out, it must be in a neat, easily
readable format. Data tables and graphs may also be made by hand, but MUST be neat and readable (ie graph paper). Due date is Wed, April
2nd. Any papers not in on the due date may be turned in on Thursday with a late pass for no grade penalty. Papers received after this will be
significantly graded down to a 60% maximum grade and may not be included in the 3rd marking period grade report. It takes a significant
amount of time to grade these papers, and may not be able to grade late papers turned before the end of the marking period.
YOU WILL BE GIVEN CLASS TIME TO WORK ON THIS PAPER AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK. Once we have passed the due date, I will not be able to
look over individual papers or give class time to work on this. It is your responsibility to plan ahead and use your class time wisely. I encourage
writing a rough draft and/or typing at home so that you can use your class time for feedback and clarification.
Your lab report will likely look similar to those that you have worked with, but not exactly the same. Sharing graphs is acceptable. Differences
should especially be apparent in your conclusion and error analysis sections. If I see 2+ students with the same paper, they will receive either
reduced or no credit due to academic dishonesty. In addition to this lab report, your notes (ISB 20) should be turned in for 20 points towards
your ISB grade.
Question (one sentence)
Independent Variable (one word
or a short phrase)
Hypothesis (one sentence)
Excellent
Poses a simple question that
states what you are trying to
figure out during this
investigation
3
Lists the variable that you are
testing
2
Predicts the outcome of your
investigation. Follows the “if and
then” format and contains both
the independent and dependent
variable in this statement
5
OK
Poses a question that states what
you are trying to figure out during
this investigation. Question may
be vague or unclear
2
Lists the variable that is being
tested, but is vague or unclear
1
Predicts the outcome of your
investigation. Does not follow the
“if and then” format. Contains
both the independent and
dependent variable in this
statement
3
Needs Improvement
Poses a simple question that
states what you are trying to
figure out during this
investigation
1
Does not predict the outcome of
your investigation. May not
contain either the independent
and dependent variable in this
statement
2
Procedure (several steps)
Contains a detailed, step-by-step
outline of what was done during
your investigation. Contains
evidence that your independent
variable is the only factor being
changed. Should show evidence
that all other factors have
remained constant.
10
Data Table
Contains data on both the IV and
DV. Units are used. Minimum of
3 data sets are required and has
multiple trials of each
5
Your data from the data table is
graphed out. For investigations
with QUANTITATIVE DATA, this
makes the most sense to do as a
scatter plot with a trendline,
showing x (DV) and y (IV)
coordinates. Graph contains a
title, and labeled axes with units.
5
Your data from the data table is
graphed out. For investigations
with QUALITATIVE DATA, this
makes the most sense to do as a
column graph using the average
of all your trials. Should show x
(DV) and y (IV) coordinates.
Graph contains a title, and labeled
axes with units.
5
Graph – USE THIS ROW FOR
QUANTITATIVE DATA. A tutorial
on how to do this with Excel is on
my website
Graph – USE THIS ROW FOR
QUALITATIVE DATA. A tutorial on
how to do this with Excel is on
my website
Contains a step-by-step outline of
what was done during your
investigation. May not be
detailed enough to follow.
Contains evidence that your
independent variable is the only
factor being changed. Should
show evidence that all other
factors have remained constant.
7
Contains data on both the IV and
DV. Units are not used. Does not
contain 3 data sets or multiple
trials of each
3
Your data from the data table is
graphed out. Uses a scatter plot ,
but may be missing the trendline.
Shows x (DV) and y (IV)
coordinates. Labels on title or
axes may be incorrect or missing
3
Contains an outline of what was
done during your investigation.
Not detailed enough to follow.
Does not contain evidence that
your independent variable is the
only factor being changed. Does
not show evidence that all other
factors have remained constant.
5
Your data from the data table is
graphed out. Uses a column
graph, but does not include the
average of your trials. Shows x
(DV) and y (IV) coordinates.
Labels on title or axes may be
incorrect or missing
3
Major errors in your graph. Does
not demonstrate the relationship
between your x and y
coordinates.
1
Missing data, units, or multiple
trials.
2
Major errors in your graph. Does
not demonstrate the relationship
between your x and y
coordinates.
1
Conclusion
(1-2 paragraphs)
Error Analysis (1 paragraph)
Total Score - ________/45 points
A conclusion is really like a claim,
evidence, reasoning all in one.
Starts out by summarizing what
your data shows (many times this
is your hypothesis just restated).
Then, includes a more detailed
analysis of what the data shows.
Finally, concludes with an
explanation as to WHY you think
your data ended up looking the
way that it did. ***this part may
need some additional
research***
10
In any investigation, you can
probably think of a few things
that didn’t go perfectly. What are
some issues with the way you
setup your investigation that
would yield unreliable results?
Must deal with the actual setup,
not just “we measured wrong”.
Includes info about how you think
you data was actually affected.
5
Starts out by summarizing what
your data shows. Then, includes a
more detailed analysis of what
the data shows, but may be
missing some details.
Finally, concludes with an
explanation as to WHY you think
your data ended up looking the
way that it did. Explanation may
not be very detailed or may be
incorrect
Missing significant parts of the
conclusion. May be very short, or
contain very little detail.
7
What are some issues with the
way you setup your investigation
that would yield unreliable
results? Must deal with the
actual setup, not just “we
measured wrong”.
5
Fails to identify a realistic error or
simply says “we measured wrong”
1
3