Scientific Method Web Quest

 

Scientist studying globe The Scientific Method Scientist using telescope

IntroductionVolcano

Did you know that scientists have a process they follow when they do their jobs?  It’s called the Scientific Method.  Scientists don’t just sit down, come up with an idea, and then run out and share it with everyone.

Your assignment is to learn about how scientists do their work.

Assignment, the First

RadiometerWrite a one or two-page paper on the Scientific Method.

Your paper must:

  • Answer:  “What is the Scientific Method?”
  • List steps in the Scientific Method
  • Look at different websites. Identify any differences you may find.
  • Explain how scientists use the Scientific Method.
  • Explain how you use the Scientific Method outside the classroom.

Resources

Look at the following websites to help you find the information you need to write your paper.

Biology4Kids Reasoning in Science

NASASCIFiles – The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method

Science Fair Central – The Scientific Method

Experimental Science Projects:  An Intermediate Level Guide

IPL Kids Space – The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method

Science Experiments for Kids – The Scientific Method

Logic and the Scientific Method

Assignment, the Second

Select a question. Explain how you would use the Scientific Method to answer the question.  Describe an experiment you could do to answer the question.

  • How does water move through a plant?
  • Which soap kills the most germs?
  • Can a potato generate electricity?
  • Can I hit a baseball better with a wooden bat or an aluminum bat?
  • Do vegetables grown using pesticides differ in flavor from those grown organically?
  • How much trash does the average household in my community create per week?  How does this compare with the national average?
  • Does presoaking seeds affect the germination and growth of plants?
  • Can I blow square bubbles?
  • How does acid rain affect plants?

Your paper must have the following information:

  • Identify the question you are answering.
  • Explain how you would use the Scientific Method to answer the question.
  • Describe an experiment you could perform to answer that question.

Conclusion

Newton's CradleYou will be using the Scientific Method, in some form, all through your life.  It is important you understand how it works.  Have fun working on this project!

 

 

Photosynthesis Quiz

 

Photosynthesis Quiz
1. Which of the following occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast?
light dependent reaction
electron transport chain
calvin cycle
photolysis2. The oxygen produced in photosynthesis comes from what molecule?
glucose
water
P680
ATP

3. The photosynthetic process used by some plants to survive in a hot dry climate, like the desert?
C4 Photosynthesis
C3 Photosynthesis
Noncyclic photophosphorylation
Carbon fixation

4. Which of the following is NOT a produce of the light dependent reaction?
Oxygen
ATP
NADPH
Sugar

5. Which of the following i the source of the carbon in sugar produced during photosynthesis?
carbon dioxide
water
rubisco
ATP

6. Which of the following is the main difference between cyclic and noncyclic photophosphorylation?
they use different electron acceptors
Only photosystem I is used during the cyclic process
noncyclic photophosphorylation occurs in the stroma
noncyclic photophosphorylation does not produce ATP

7. Carbon fixation is catalyzed by what enzyme?
P700
NADPH
phosphoglycerate
rubisco

8. The calvin cycle requires each of the following inputs EXCEPT:
ATP
NADPH
O2
CO2

9. In the light dependent reactions, when light strikes the pigments (P700 or P680) what is the immediate result?
excited electrons are passed to electron acceptors
electrons are fused to form ATP
glucose is produced
carbon fixation occurs

10. In the calvin cycle, more ATP than NADPH is used, how is this difference made up?
the cyclic pathway creates more ATP
the calvin cycle occurs half as often as the light dependent reaction
additional ATP is created from glucose
excess NADPH is reused in the light reaction

Score =
Correct answers:

 

 

BACK

Picturing Lab Safety

Get the Picture?
www.biologycorner.com

View the picture and answer the questions concerning lab safety.

Questions:

1. List 3 unsafe activities shown in the illustration and explain why each is unsafe.

 

2. List 3 correct procedures depicted in the illustration.

3. What should Bob do after the accident?

4. What should Sue have done to avoid an accident?

5. Compare Luke and Duke’s lab techniques. Who is following the rules?

6. What are three things shown in the lab that should not be there?

7. Compare Joe and Carl’s lab techniques. Who is doing it the correct way?

8. What will happen to Ray and Tim when the teacher catches them?

9. List three items in the illustration that are there for the safety of the students in the lab.

 

10. What is Betty doing wrong?

 

 

 

 

GEOLOGY 112

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY AT PARKERSBURG
GEOLOGY 397 – SPECIAL TOPICS: INTRODUCTION TO PALEONTOLOGY
SYLLABUS
FALL  SEMESTER 2000

NAME OF COURSE: SPECIAL TOPICS: INTRODUCTION TO PALEONTOLOGY

COURSE NO.: Geology 397             CREDIT: 3 Semester Hours

DEPARTMENT: Geology                 DIVISION: Natural Sciences and Mathematics

PROFESSOR:  Dr. Edward L. Crisp
OFFICE: 2307
PHONE:  424-8255
email: ecrisp@alpha.wvup.edu
OFFICE HOURS:   TBA

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Prothero, Donald R.; 1998; BRINGING FOSSILS TO LIFE: AN INTRODUCTION TO PALEOBIOLOGY: WCB/McGraw-Hill Publishers; 457 p

Laboratory Manual to be announced later.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Geology 397-Special Topics: Introduction to Paleontology is an introductory course in paleontology.  Paleontology is the study of past life and the interactions of past living organisms with the physical world.  In this course we will trace the evolutionary path and patterns of life from the Precambrian to the present based on evidence from the fossil record.  The course will concentrate on invertebrate fossils (particularly in the laboratory), however, vertebrates and plants will also be covered in the course.  Additionally, the course will study the principles of fossil preservation and taphonomy, systematics and taxonomy of the major fossil groups, morphologic characteristics of the major fossil groups,  the biostratigraphic value of fossils, and the paleoecological, paleoenvironmental, and paleobiogeographical use of fossils in reconstructing ancient environments and geography of the Earth. The laboratory portion of the course will stress the morphological criteria necessary for fossil identification and the systematics and taxonomy of the major invertebrate fossil groups. (The course will consist of two 50 minute lectures per week and one 2 hour laboratory session per week) (Prerequisites: Geology 111, Geology 112, Biology 111, and consent of the instructor)
ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Attendance to all classes is highly recommended.  If you must miss a class, notify the instructor as soon as possible (preferably before you miss) at 424-8255  (if no answer, leave a message).  If you do miss a class it is your responsibility to cover the material, find out about class announcements, etc.  Material that is covered in lecture is not always readily obtained by just reading the text.  A record of attendance will be maintained and, because of the nature of the course, excessive absences may result in a lower grade.
ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL TESTS!  Preparing make-up material for tests is very time consuming for the instructor.   Make-up will be allowed for valid excuses, such as severe illness, death in the family, or excused university sponsored events.  The student must make arrangements with the instructor before missing or immediately upon returning to class to arrange for a make-up exam, otherwise the grade for the missed exam will be recorded as a zero.  PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS POLICY LIGHTLY.

SAFETY RULES FOR THE LABORATORY:

A list of safety rules will be given to the student to follow during laboratory sessions.  In addition these rules will be posted in the laboratory.  Failure to adhere to these rules may result in injury to the student breaking the rules or other students in the laboratory.  Please follow these rules, they are meant for your safety.

All students in the class must receive laboratory safety training.  The instructor will use an announced laboratory time for a laboratory safety training session prior to any use of chemicals in the laboratory.  If for any reason you miss the laboratory safety training session, please contact the instructor as soon as possible for a make-up session on laboratory safety.  A student who misses the laboratory safety training session will not be allowed to continue to participate in laboratory sessions until he/she has received the laboratory safety training.  As a part of laboratory safety procedures, approved eye protective goggles are required for any laboratory procedures involving chemicals or heating procedures.  Students without approved eye protective goggles will not be allowed to participate in lab sessions involving chemicals or heating procedures.  The WVU-P bookstore sells the correct type of eye goggles for the laboratory.

TESTING and EVALUATION:  There will be three major one hour lecture exams (in addition to the final exam) during the semester.  The final exam will be partially comprehensive.  There will be a term paper required.  The term paper will be 6 to 10 pages and will be a review paper of some paleontological topic (topic assigned by instructor or of your choice with instructor’s approval) based on paleontological journal articles (more on this at the first class meeting).  The laboratory portion of the course will account for one third of the grade for the course.  There will be two major laboratory exams in addition to graded weekly laboratory exercises.  There will be a required field trip that may involve more than one day (will be on a weekend).  The field trip may substitute for one or more laboratory sessions.    Following is a breakdown of the basis for the final course grade:
BASIS FOR FINAL COURSE GRADE:

Three major exams during the semester (10% each, 100 Pts. each)…………….30%………..300 Points
Term Paper………………….………………………………………………………………….17%………..170 Points
Laboratory……………………………………………….………………………………….. 33%………..330 Points
Two laboratory exams (100 points each for 200 points)
Thirteen laboratory exercises (10 points each for 130 points)
Final Exam……………………………………………………………………………………..20%………..200 Points

Total…………………………………………………………………………….………………100%………1000 Points

GRADING SCALE:                                               PERCENTILE RANGE           COURSE GRADE

greater than 90%……………………………A
80 through 89%…………………………….B
70 through 79%…………………………….C
60 through 69%…………………………….D
less than 60%……………………………….F
COURSE OBJECTIVES

1.   To increase the ability of the student to think critically.
2.   To practice the scientific method of investigation.
3.   To appreciate and practice experimentation and observation and their importance in scientific investigations.
4.   To practice accurate scientific data collecting techniques and the importance of accurate data collection.
5.   To practice methodical study and work habits.
6.   To understand fossils as ancient organisms and understand the evolutionary and ecological principles which shaped ancient life.
7.   To understand fossils as geological tools for determining geologic time and recognizing paleoenvironments.
8.   To understand how fossils can be used to solve geologic problems.
9.   To learn the basic morphologic characteristics of the major groups of fossils.
10. To understand the systematics and taxonomy of the major groups of fossils.

SPECIAL PROJECTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE COURSE

1.  Geologic field trips to study local paleontology.
2.  Field trips to museums or other points of paleontologic interest.
3.  Term paper.
NOTE:  THE INSTRUCTOR, DIVISION, OR UNIVERSITY MAY MODIFY ANY OF THE ABOVE IN ORDER TO BETTER SERVE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE, THE STUDENT, AND THE UNIVERSITY!

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