Scientific Method Lab

Purpose In this lab students will learn the steps of the scientific method by identifying each step and applying each through a fun activity that compares variables between 2 types of bubble gum. Students will be asked to hypothesize, collect and organize data, use scientific measurement, and differentiate between qualitative and quantitative data.

Warm-Up Activity Based on your past experience with bubble gum, which type of gum would produce the biggest bubble? Why? Create a hypothesis using the information you discussed above.

Objectives 1.Determine the steps in the scientific method and apply them to a problem. 2.Generate hypotheses, conduct an experiment, and present data in a graph. 3.Learn the basics of the metric system of measurement and be able to convert from one set of units to another, both within and between English and metric.

Materials 2 small pieces of wax paper 1 meter long piece of string 1 meter stick 2 different pieces of bubble gun labeled A and B

PART ONE

Procedure 1.Each group will obtain two pieces of gum, one labeled A and one labeled B. 2.Create 3 qualitative/quantitative observations about each piece of gum, before chewing it. 3.Write a hypothesis about which piece of gum will make the biggest bubble. Explain why.

Instructions 1.The person with brand A will chew their piece of gum for 3 minutes. (Person B, should not begin chewing until all test on brand A are complete.) 2.Person A blows a bubble. 3.Using a string, your partner will measure the diameter (distance across) of the bubble. 4.Place the string on the ruler (cm side) to determine the actual size. 5.Record the measurement in a data table. Repeat the process 2 more times. 6.Find the average bubble size.

Data Table Design a data collection table to fit the data you will be collecting.

Conclusion What brand of gum is the best at blowing bubbles and why? Support your answer with observations and data.

PART TWO

Problem You and your partner will combine with another group to complete this section. How does gum “stretchability” relate to bubble size? Hypothesis: Make/write an educated guess that would answer the question above.

Procedure/Instructions 1.One person with brand A gum, will roll their gum into a ball. 2.Hold the gum by grabbing it with a piece of wax paper. Another person would grab the same piece of gum with another piece of wax paper. 3.The two people holding the gum should slowly start walking backwards away from each other. 4.A third person will measure the distance the gum stretches before breaking. (Use a meter stick and centimeters) 5.Only do one trial. 6.Repeat steps 1-4 with brand B gum.

Data Table Design a data collection table to fit the data you will be collecting.

Interpreting Results Create graph displaying stretch distance vs bubble size for each brand of gum.

Conclusion Use your data from the lab to answer the question: How does gum “stretchability” relate to bubble size? Support your conclusion with scientific data.