Science, Technology and Society Lab Report #1. The Scientific Method Directions.

Question

Science, Technology and Society Lab Report #1. The Scientific Method Directions. Go to http://glencoe.mheducation.com/sites/0078778085/student_view0/unit1/chapter1/virtual_lab.html and select “What strategies are involved in solving a science problem?” Once inside the virtual lab, read the introduction by scrolling the left hand side navigation bar. Use the information in the introduction as well as information from the first module to answer the pre-lab questions below. After completing the pre-lab, fill in the table below by completing the experiment as instructed under the procedure section from the left hand navigation bar. Pre-Lab Questions: 1. What is the scientific method? Why is it used by scientists to study problems in nature? 2. What is a variable? What is the difference between dependent and independent variables? 3. In this experiment, you will use the scientific method to determine how to create the most efficient compost pile. What is compost and how is it made? 4. For this virtual lab, determine the problem. State what it is that you want to do. 5. Make a hypothesis. State a prediction you want to test in this experiment. 6. How will you use the computer model to test your hypothesis? What steps will you follow? What data will you record? Data Collection: Click and drag the Brown to Green Balance bar, the Water Concentration bar, and the Number of Turns bar to the position you want to test. Then, click on the calendar (lower right). Record the combinations you tested and the resulting Efficiency Meter reading in the table below. (You may wish to add more rows to the table, depending on how many trials you run, but please complete at least 6 rows as indicated below). Click the Reset button between each trial. Green Materials (%) Brown Materials (%) Water Concentration (%) Number of Turns per Month Efficiency Rating (High, Medium, Low) Conclusion: Based on your data, draw a conclusion about what combination of factors produces compost most efficiently. Be sure to support your answer. Describe how you used the scientific method to come to this conclusion.

Explanation / Answer

1) A scientific method is an orderly process that usually includes a series of steps similar to these: 1. Determine the problem. State what you want to find out. 2. Make a hypothesis. State the prediction that you want to test. 3. Test the hypothesis. State what steps you will take to design an experiment to test your hypothesis. Make observations. Record what happened during your experiment. 4. Analyze the results. Explain any patterns you see. Organize your observations and data into a usable form. 5. Draw conclusions. Is your hypothesis correct? Describe what your observations and data indicate about your hypothesis. Decide whether your hypothesis is correct. If not, determine why your hypothesis is incorrect and propose a new hypothesis.

2) An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. A dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment.

3) Compost is decomposed matter used as fertilizer or as mulch (material put around plants to help them retain water). Compost is made by combining four basic ingredients: green materials, such as grass clippings, green leaves, and vegetable and fruit scraps; brown materials such as dried grass and leaves, twigs, straw, and sawdust; air; and water. In addition to being good for plants, compost is good for the environment because it makes use of materials that otherwise would go to waste.

4) Apply a variety of strategies in order to solve a science problem. Identify factors that affect the efficiency of a compost pile.

5) Make a testable prediction about how the efficiency of a compost pile would be affected by varying the ratio of green to brown material, the amount of water added, and the number of times a compost pile is turned (to supply oxygen).

Brown to Green Balance Water Concentration Number of Turna per Month Efficency Meter 25% 20-40% 2 Medium 50% 40-60% 2 High 50% 20-40% 4 High 25% 60-80% 2 Medium 100% 20-40% 2 Low

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