EnvironMentors Designing and Experiment …………………………………………………. OBJECTIVE: Student will engage in the careful planning of experimental research design and sampling techniques, as well as develop a procedure for manageable implementation of their data collection trials. BACKGROUND: The experimental design is the most important portion of the scientific method. Proper development of the experimental design insures that the student’s project is testable and replicable. Students need to be extremely attentive to details. Mentors and teachers are vital resources to make sure students know the basics of experimental design. ACTIVITIES 1. Help student develop experimental procedure. Review methods for writing an experimental procedure. 2. Develop experiment materials list. Review the “good” and “bad” materials list with students. 3. Experimental Design Worksheet. Make sure that student complete this worksheet. TIPS FOR EVALUATING THE STUDENTS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Variables Does the student clearly delineate a control variable and a limited number of variables he or she will manipulate in the course of the experiment? Data Sampling Does the student accurately define what observations are necessary during the experiment? Does the student designate what data needs to be collected to prove or disprove the experiment hypothesis? Does the identification of necessary observations and the data designation logically attempt to answer the research question? Experiment Site Does the student clearly identify a study site(s) that is suitable to conduct their research? Does the student
remain consistent in their study site(s) to conduct multiple experimental trials throughout their experimental procedure? Procedure Does the student clearly describe his/her sampling technique and methods? Did the student create experimental procedures that delineate a systematic sequence of steps necessary to collect observations and data? Define an adequate number of data collection trials and samples to be collected (at least 3). Materials Based on the experimental procedure, does the student develop a comprehensive materials list? Does the materials list include quantities? Assignment 7: Experimental Methods and Materials List= 10 points (2 pts each) Identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables including what quantity the student will measure, and how the measurements will be made. Identify at least 3 experimental data sets and 1 control data set. Identify a study site or sites that are suitable to conduct his/her research. Does the student return to the same study site(s) to conduct multiple experimental trials? Write a detailed materials list including quantities, while also specifying items that might be difficult for the student to obtain. Describe his/her sampling techniques and methods. To what extent does he/she clearly outline experimental procedures that follow a logical and systematic sequence of events needed to collect necessary observations and data?