Experiment Project

You will be working with a partner to conduct an experiment over the next several weeks. You will hand in a lab write up written in paragraphs and including any charts necessary to answers the questions below. Your topic will include experimenting on how altering an abiotic factor (not alive) can influence a biotic (alive) factor. This topic must also relate to an environmental issue.  For example – 

How much organic waste can worms eat?

Can plants stop erosion?

How does acid rain affect fish?

You may create your own project our use one already created. This site has great ideas:

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/Intro-Environmental-Science.shtml

1. Question, Research, Hypothesis Draft Due: 

1. Create a question.

How much air particles in nature?

2. Research the question.

3. Predict an answer based on your research (hypothesis).

There will be less particles.

4. Formulate explanations/reasons for your hypothesis. 

It because we (Rintaro and I) put pieces milk cartoons at near the road, park area, forest, and pond. So it will not have more than 25.

2. Plan Draft Due:

1. Plan an investigation. 
2. Decide on your four locations. Good locations are: your back yard, your school, an industrial zone, a construction site, a park etc.
3. Write the name of each location in your data table. Include the cross streets (Cedar and Sacramento Street), the address (1234 Maple Street) or the name of the location (Tilden Park or Valley Mall) in your table.
4. Using your black permanent marker, draw a 1 inch by 1 inch box in the center of the white side (what used to be the inside of the carton) of each square.
5. Write the name of the location on the bottom of each square, you will use three squares for each location.
6. At each location, find a place to hang up three of your collection squares. You can hang the squares from a tree branch, sign post, light post, or any other safe landmark. If the location is busy with traffic, be sure to have an adult with you for safety.
7. Before you hang each square up, spread a thin layer of vaseline in the black box in the center of each square with your finger. Hang up the collection square.
8. Leave your collection squares for 3–5 days. It is best to leave them on days when there is no rain, so if you hear it is going to rain be sure to go and collect them even if you have not left them out for a full five days.
9. After you have waited, it is time to collect your data from the squares.
10. Revisit each location bringing your data table, magnifying glass and a digital camera.
11. Remove the squares one at a time. Each time, use your magnifying glass to count the number of visible particles you see stuck in the Vaseline inside the boxed area. Write the number in your data table.
12. Take a picture of the square. If your camera has a micro-setting for close ups, the pictures will turn out better.
13. Proceed to the next square and/or location until you have collected all of your data and filled out your data table.
14. For each location you will have collected three sets of data, so you will want to average the data to get a better result. First add together the three counts and write the answer in the “TOTAL” box. Then divide this number by 3 and write the answer in the “Average” box.
15. Now you are ready to make a graph of your data. Make a bar graph by writing a scale for the number of particles on the left side (y-axis) and then by drawing a bar up to the correct number of particles for each location. Remember to label each bar of your graph, or make a color key.
16. Print out your photos for your poster too.
17. At which sites did you pick up the most particulate matter of the kind that is visible with the naked eye or a magnifying glass? Is this what you expected? Were each of your three counts the same or different? What do you think this tells you about the amount of this type of polluting particles in the air at each location?
18. Do you think your data allows you to make global conclusions about the overall air quality of the sites you tested? Why or why not? Information in the Introduction can help you answer this question.

2. What equipment will you use to collect and record data? (Digital technology, microscope etc.)

I’d like to use Vaseline, milk cartoon, rubber string, and Stapler.

3. What safety concerns or risks are present? 

I think I need to be careful when I make a hole by stapler.

4. Address ethical, cultural and/or environmental issues. Consider First Peoples perspectives and knowledge gained from other subject areas.

…Conduct experiment…

3. Data Draft Due: 

1. Construct visuals – graphs, models and/or diagrams to represent the data you have collected A chart with your numbers and a graph of those numbers are common parts of your data. You must include the chart or alternative with your initial data collection and a graph or other representation of that data. The chart must be titled and have both axis labeled.

3. Data Draft Due: 

1. Construct visuals – graphs, models and/or diagrams to represent the data you have collected A chart with your numbers and a graph of those numbers are common parts of your data. You must include the chart or alternative with your initial data collection and a graph or other representation of that data. The chart must be titled and have both axis labeled.

Location	visible particles I saw
Near the road	15
Near the air vent	23
Near the forest	2
Park	5
Near the school	6
Near the pond	12
TOTAL	63
Average	10.5

4. Analyze Draft Due: 

1. Analyze and interpret the graphs/models/diagrams.

1. Describe the relationship between the variables.

We could know that how much air particles in air, and we can talk how to solve this problems.

2. Explain any inconsistencies you see.

5. Conclude Draft Due: 

1. Did your findings support your hypothesis?

2. Formulate an evidence-based conclusion (should be in-step with scientific concepts).

1. Are there alternative explanations and conclusions then the one you presented? 

3. Evaluate the methods you used and the conditions of the experiment.

1. What were the sources of error or uncertainty?
2. Are there any confusing variables?
3. Describe ways to improve your investigation and the quality of data.