LabWrite Middle School Worksheet Booklet

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PreLab: questions to answer before doing the lab

1. First carefully read the description of the lab.

In most lab classes there is a handout or lab manual that has background for the lab and directions for the procedure. There may be other handouts, textbooks and materials.

Read everything. Don't just skim it.

Look at the diagrams.

Read all of the directions.

2. Write down at least one question you have about the lab.

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3. What scientific concept is the lab about?

Your science lab will help you learn about a scientific concept. A scientific concept is a scientific theory, rule or law that explains why or how something occurs. Examples are the principle of conservation of mass and the law of gravity.

What scientific concept will you be investigating in this lab? What will you be learning about? If you aren't sure check the lab handout, your textbook and any class notes you have.

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Brainstorm what you know about the scientific concept. Write as much as you can - everything you already know about the scientific concept. It is important to see what you already know.

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4. What is the overall purpose of the lab?

Write one sentence describing how what you are being asked to do in the lab will help you learn about the lab's scientific concept(s). The purpose of the lab is to learn something about the scientific concept that the lab covers. Write down what you think completing the lab will teach you about the concept.

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5. What is your hypothesis for the lab experiment?

Your hypothesis is a prediction of the outcome of the lab. Your prediction is based on your understanding of the scientific concept. What is your prediction based on the scientific concept and the variables you are testing?

Before you can make your prediction you must first find out what are you measuring or manipulating. The term variable describes what you are measuring. There are usually two variables.

An independent variable is the variable you are controlling or manipulating.

A dependent variable is what you measure in the experiment. The dependent variable changes because of the independent variable. It 'depends' on the independent variable.

Example: You are interested in how sprinting 100 meters affects heart rate in humans. Your independent variable would be sprinting 100 meters.

The dependent variable would be heart rate.

You can manipulate the independent variable by having people run 100 meters. You can measure the dependent variable by measuring heart rate.

Write down the independent and dependent variables. You may need to read the lab again to find them.

Independent Variable:

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Dependent Variable:

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Write your hypothesis:

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InLab: the lab experiment

Section 1

Setting up the lab

Step 1: Review the procedures for the lab. Collect any materials that you are going to use.

Step 2: Make a diagram below of any instruments or apparatus you will be using. Make sure you label your diagram.

Step 3: Make a list of your materials and take notes as you set up your experiment. You may use the notes later to describe the experiment.

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Section Two

Getting ready to collect data

Before you start collecting data, you need to reconsider the whole point of the lab. Hint: You may want to refer to your PreLab.

Step 1: Restate your hypothesis

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Step 2: For each variable write the unit of measure you will use in the lab. This will help you record the data correctly.

Independent variable (s)__________________________________________________

Dependent variable (s) ___________________________________________________

Step 3: On a separate sheet of paper create a table or tables or set up a spreadsheet for entering your data. If your lab already has a table for collecting data skip this step.

Section Three

Conducting the experiment

Step 1: Carefully follow the procedure.

Step 2: As you conduct your experiment and record your data, take notes on what you are doing. These notes will help you recall the experiment later when you are writing your lab report.

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Step 3: Write any problems with the procedure or differences from the directions.

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Step 4:Describe in words or sketch your observations as you collect your data. You may write out your observations or sketch them or both.

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Step 5: Record your data on the data table(s) you made.

Section Four

Finalizing your data

Step 1: Review all of your data- tables, graphs, drawings, notes.

Step 2: Write one sentence summarizing the overall findings of your experiment. This will help you to understand the findings and will be helpful when you write the results section of your lab report.

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Step 3: If your teacher says it is okay ask other students in the lab about their findings. Write down any differences. What are possible reasons for the differences?

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PostLab: writing your lab report

The PostLab is a guide for writing lab reports. You will begin by describing in writing the Materials and Methods you used and then your Results. You will use the Materials, Methods and Results to write an Introduction that establishes a context for the lab, a way of understanding what is significant or important about this lab.

Section One

Methods: Describing the lab procedure

Write one paragraph describing the procedure you followed during this lab. Make sure to use enough detail about your materials and methods that someone else could repeat your procedure.

Hint: Refer to InLab, your lab handout(s), the textbook and any notes you took during the lab.

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Section Two

Results: Making sense of your data for yourself and others

Step 1: Finish or create any tables, graphs or diagrams that will help you visualize your lab data.

Step 2: Write a one-sentence caption under each visual: table, graph or diagram. Your sentence should state the variable(s) represented in the visual.

Step 3 Review all the data from your experiment. Look at all your visuals. Summarize the main finding of the lab in one sentence.

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Section Three

Introduction: Establishing a context for the lab

In the introduction you will show in writing why the lab is significant, or important. You will write what you are learning about science by doing this lab. You will be establishing a context for the lab.

Step 1: Write one sentence clearly stating what scientific concept the lab is about.

Hint: Look at your PreLab. Revise question # 3.

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Step 2: Write one sentence clearly stating the purpose of the lab. What did you learn about the scientific concept (your answer to step 1) by completing the lab?

Hint: Look at your PreLab. Revise question # 4.

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Step 3: Write a paragraph revising your answers to PreLab questions # 5 and 6. First, state your hypothesis clearly. Revise your original hypothesis from PreLab question #5, "The hypothesis for this lab was..."; "My hypothesis was..."; or "We predicted that..."

Explain how you used your understanding of the scientific concept of the lab to make a prediction about the outcome of the lab. Make it clear how you came to your hypothesis.

Finish the paragraph by writing the independent and dependent variables used in the lab.

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Section Four

Discussion: Interpreting the results of the lab

Step 1: State in one sentence or two whether the results from the lab procedure support your hypothesis

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Step 2: Identify data from your lab that led you to either support or reject your hypothesis. Refer to the visual representations of your data as evidence to back up your judgment about the hypothesis.

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Step 3: Using your understanding of the scientific concept of this lab, explain in one paragraph or more why the results did or did not support your hypothesis.

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Step 4: Additional discussion: (1) problems or errors in lab procedure; (2) how your findings compare to other students'; (3) suggestions for improving the lab.

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