1. Organizing Elements Lab
Mrs. Bryant
6th Grade Science

2. Purpose:
To understand why it is important to organize data or information that we collect.

3. Procedures:
Using the assigned paper squares within your groups baggie, place all squares on your table number side up.
DO NOT ARRANGE THEM IN ANY ORDER!

4. Procedure continued
Ask your partner to name a square by color and number. Have your partner time how long it takes you to find this square. Record the time in your data table.

5. Procedures Continued
Repeat step 2 twice, choosing a different color and number each time.
When finished calculate the average value of the three times. Record this information in your table.

6. Procedures continued
Then rearrange the squares into four rows, one for each color. Order the squares for each row from 1 to 10.
Repeat step 2 above, three times. Calculate an average time and record your data.

7. Procedure continued
Trade places with your partner and repeat steps 1 through 6.
Answer the conclusion questions.

8. Data Table Partner 1 Partner 2 Unorganized Times Trial 1 Trial 2
Average:
Organized Times

9. Conclusion Questions:
Which average time was shorter, the organized times or the unorganized times?

10. Why do you think the times were different?
From this activity, what can you conclude about the periodic table?

11. An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into other substances by chemical or physical means. How is the organization of the periodic table useful for predicting the properties of an element?