Experiments A guide to managing experiment work in Construction Studies

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Syllabus Aim of the course To develop the pupils’ ability to communicate ideas and information by appropriate methods, and to encourage them to apply accurate observation and scientific investigation through the examination of materials and processes; Can be integrated into most topics on the Syllabus. As part of the practical course work (project) students are required to complete and record experimental work. So what exactly are students required to submit?

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Instruction to candidates (M77P) The coursework you submit for assessment must be your own individual work. Your design folio must include a record of individual experimental / laboratory work that you completed during the course. Evidence that you completed this work must be included. It is recommended that your experimental work be related to your coursework and that you undertake and record three experiments.

Accounts for 20% of the overall mark. A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Chief Examiners Report 2013 Summary Accounts for 20% of the overall mark. ‘….continues to pose difficulties for a significant number of candidates.’ Candidates are required to undertake ‘ experiments which are assigned and closely supervised by the teacher.’ Candidates who investigated aspects of coursework , constructed a hypothesis, investigated this hypothesis and derived a conclusion, succeeded in obtaining high marks. If an experiment is to be considered as to be valid, the conclusions drawn must be based on the results evident from the experiment. Candidates are advised to relate the experimental work to some aspect of the course work.

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Planning A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies 180 hours class contact time for Construction Studies 90 hours for theory 45 hours for day practical 45 hours for project Experimental work is 5% of that time i.e. 30/150 = 9 hours 13.5 - 40 minute classes. 5 classes per week = 2.5 weeks. Theory Day Practical Project

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Definition of experiment - a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact. It must be able to be replicated to achieve identical results.

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Live Experiment Using boiling water, fill 2 glasses. Leave one uncovered, another covered with cling film. Record the temperature over time and plot the results.

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Live Experiment What does this experiment set out to do? What would you expect to happen? Why? What conclusions can be drawn from the investigation? How could this experiment be adapted or expanded?

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies What experiments could be undertaken under the following topics? General Substructure: Superstructure Internal Construction Service and External Works Heat and Thermal effects Illumination & Sound in Buildings Activity

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Writing the experiment? Title Equipment Method Result Conclusion Observations Evidence Title To determine the rate of temperature decrease in a sample of water under varying conditions.

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Writing the experiment? Title Equipment Method Result Conclusion Observations Evidence Title Aim The aim is about what you hope to do, your overall intention in the experiment. e.g. work towards, set one's sights on, seek, plan, resolve, propose.

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Writing the experiment? Title Equipment Method Result Conclusion Observations Evidence Title Objective The objectives, and there are usually more than one, are the specific steps you will take to achieve your aim. In order to achieve this aim, I will… collect, construct, produce, test, trial

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Writing the experiment? Title Equipment Method Result Conclusion Observations Evidence Title Hypothesis a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Writing the experiment? Title Equipment Method Result Conclusion Observations Evidence Equipment Equipment List all equipment necessary to recreate the experiment. Samples, quantities etc.

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Writing the experiment? Title Equipment Method Result Conclusion Observations Evidence Method A “methods” section should include all the information necessary for someone else to undertake your experiment. A recipe. Where?, materials, how much?, how was data recorded, Passive or active voice?

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Writing the experiment? Title Equipment Method Result Conclusion Observations Evidence Result Don’t do any more than tell. Display facts and figures in tables and graphs whenever possible.

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Live Experiment

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Writing the experiment? Title Equipment Method Result Conclusion Observations Evidence Conclusion A judgement or decision reached by reasoning.

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Writing the experiment? Title Equipment Method Result Conclusion Observations Evidence Observations Is your hypothesis supported? Was there any data that surprised you? Are the results useful?

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies Points to note Results can be recorded and analysed by various methods: charts, tables, percentages etc. The use of data analysis tools such as excel, geogebra can be useful. These experiments can be conducted as part of a teaching and learning strategy for a topic or area of construction studies. They can also re-inforce learning for area of focus in construction studies, for example what impact does illumination have on? Design for climate, Physical Environment Sustainability, Social Function

A guide to managing experimental work in Construction Studies In summary Experimental work should Be individually conducted and recorded Ideally be related to the coursework Be written and conducted in a scientific manner Be presented with evidence Contain conclusions that respond to construction studies and/or project brief