Lesson 4: Introduction to Experimental Design 9/1 (A Day) and 9/2 (B Day)

DO Now: Write two inferences to explain why the person is lying on the ground. For each inference site evidence from the picture. Essential Question: What makes the study of biology different from all other disciplines? Objective: SWBAT conduct a mealworm experiment in order to identify and describe the elements of a controlled experiment. .

Lesson Overview HOMEWORK AGENDA 1.2 Methods of Biology Biology Notebook Due 9/3 (A) & 9/4 (B) *Next Class AGENDA Discussion/ Notes -Experimental Design Misbehaving Mealworms Lab Setting the Stage Some Like it Dark

Housekeeping Lab Safety Edmodo Biology Notebook (9/3, 9/4) You will not be able to participate in lab until you turn in a signed copy of your lab safety contract Edmodo Class Name: Biology 2015-2016 Group Code: 57beyu Biology Notebook (9/3, 9/4) Exam Grade Parent E-mail Extra Credit

Scientific Method Question Research Hypothesis Experiment Data/Results Conclusion

Experimental Design Plan an experiment in which you can test your hypothesis. Experiment must be a controlled experiment. Test one variable at a time (experimental variable) Controlled experiments include two groups: Experimental group – receives treatment Control group – no treatment Variables Independent Variable: The factor that is deliberately manipulated in an experiment (also experimental variable) Dependent variable: The variable that is changed or effected by manipulation of the independent variable. It is what is measure in the experiment

Repeatable and Reliable Constants Factors that must remain the same so they do not influence the outcome of the experiment Accounting for constants ensures you are testing only one variable Sample Size The number of subjects involved in experimentation Replications Decreases impact of chance events and error Increase reliability of results

Let’s Practice! Problem: Which operating system, iPhones or Droids have a longer battery life? Hypothesis:   Independent Variable: Dependent Variable: Control Group: Experimental Group:

Let’s Practice! Problem: Does the temperature of a lake effect a fish's ability to produce viable offspring? Hypothesis:   Independent Variable: Dependent Variable: Control Group: Experimental Group:

Misbehaving Mealworms Lab

Setting the Stage create a circular area to observe mealworms’ behavior use scissors to cut paper to fit the bottom of dissecting pan Be sure to tape the sheet into the pan so mealworms can’t crawl under paper trace a circle around bottom of 150 mL beaker in center of paper

Some Like it Dark Do mealworms prefer light or dark environments? fit piece of aluminum foil tightly across top of one half of dissecting pan arrange pan so uncovered side is well-lit but covered side is dark fold index card to use as a scoop use paintbrush to carefully brush 10 mealworms onto card and transfer to 150mL beaker pour into circle observe 5-10 minutes record your observations