Scientific Method Assignment
Directions: Type your answers directly on this sheet in the space provided after each question. Please either highlight your answer or type them in RED font. Save the worksheet using your last name and student number as the file name. Upload the completed assignment as a .doc, .docx or .rtf file when you are finished for grading.
Introduction:
As you learned in Chapter 1, problems and questions can be answered by applying the scientific method. This assignment will allow you to gain some experience in using the steps of the scientific method to conduct a controlled experiment. You will also gain experience recording data and constructing graphs.
Objectives:
Conduct scientific experiments using the steps of the scientific method.
Materials:
Computer with internet access
Microsoft Excel or other graphing software.
Directions:
Go to: http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs_2K8/labs/BL_01/
• Read the introductory activity in the Greenhouse Manual concerning the European Corn Borer. After you read the manual, follow the instructions on the left side of the screen to complete the experiment.
• Complete 12 different trials and record your information in the Results Table on this page. You will then use that information to insert a chart graphing your data. You will test 4 different types of corn and you will run 3 different tests for each type: No infestation, Low infestation and High infestation.
• To change the corn types, you will have to click the reset button after each trial.
Answer the following questions:
• Questions 1 - 11 are short answer questions and should be answered in 2 to 3 words or 1 to 2 complete sentences. Each short answer question is worth 5 pts for a total of 55 points. You also need to record your data in the table (25 points) and insert your graph (20 points).
• Type all answers directly on this data sheet and upload the data sheet as a .doc, .docx or .rtf file when finished. Save this document using your last name and student ID as the file name. Please either highlight your answer or type them in RED font.
1. What is the independent variable in the experiment?
2. What is the dependent variable in the experiment?
3. State a question that could be answered conducting this lab:
4. State your hypothesis?
5. What determines the yield of corn?
6. What are three things that result in low yields?
7. According to your results table, what combination of variables produced the best yield?
8. What is your conclusion?
9. Did your results support your hypothesis?
10. Did you prove your hypothesis?
11. What does this experiment tell you about the importance of scientific information and technology, and how it applies to the real world?
Results Table
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Corn Variety
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Infestation
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Pot #1 Yield
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Pot #2 Yield
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Pot #3 Yield
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Average Yield
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Insert Your Graph Chart Here. (20 points)
(Refer to the Quick Start: Add a chart to your document under Suggested Readings for help)
• Click Insert
• Click Chart
• Click Column
When the chart appears, you can construct it how you want; however, an easy way would be to take the data from the data table in the lab and record it in the chart as follows:
When you input your data, the graph will change accordingly.