Welcome to 8th grade Science Lab class!
MICROBES IN OUR SCHOOL INVESTIGATION
The purpose of this course is to give you a better understanding of how to practice science. This will be a hands-on class
that will challenge you to think about solving problems using the QPOEE methods of science. You should expect to do
more science and interpretation of data while applying already understood concepts of science.
that will challenge you to think about solving problems using the QPOEE methods of science. You should expect to do
more science and interpretation of data while applying already understood concepts of science.
DAY 1:
Microbes in Our School Investigation:
Essential Question: How much bacteria is living in your school?
What is bacteria
What is a microbe?
Where in school might we find the most? Use this link as a way to brainstorm some ideas. Link 2
Knowledge Probe: Find at least 2 articles online that can be used to add information to what you know and to how you could conduct a similar investigation. Bookmark or save at least two articles that will help address the problem listed in our essential question. Read your articles and describe at least 4 new things that can be used in an investigation that answers the essential question above. Put these answers and the links you used on a google doc and share the assignment in Schoology.
Microbes in Our School Investigation:
Essential Question: How much bacteria is living in your school?
What is bacteria
What is a microbe?
Where in school might we find the most? Use this link as a way to brainstorm some ideas. Link 2
Knowledge Probe: Find at least 2 articles online that can be used to add information to what you know and to how you could conduct a similar investigation. Bookmark or save at least two articles that will help address the problem listed in our essential question. Read your articles and describe at least 4 new things that can be used in an investigation that answers the essential question above. Put these answers and the links you used on a google doc and share the assignment in Schoology.
Day 2 Essential Question: How much bacteria is living in your school?
Open this Bacterial Report Investigation Form
1. Prediction- Using what you now know, make a prediction of where the bacteria and other microbe “hot spots” might be in our school.
2. Hypothesis- What is your hypothesis and why do you believe this to be true? Make sure your sentence starts with “If….then”.
3. Investigation Plan- Now that you have a prediction and hypothesis, design an experimental plan to test your hypothesis. What will your variables be (Independent, dependent, control and constant)? What will you measure and record? What qualitative and quantitative data will you record and how will you record it? Create a data table to record your observations. Once your samples have been collected, begin writing your report following the format here.
Open this Bacterial Report Investigation Form
1. Prediction- Using what you now know, make a prediction of where the bacteria and other microbe “hot spots” might be in our school.
2. Hypothesis- What is your hypothesis and why do you believe this to be true? Make sure your sentence starts with “If….then”.
3. Investigation Plan- Now that you have a prediction and hypothesis, design an experimental plan to test your hypothesis. What will your variables be (Independent, dependent, control and constant)? What will you measure and record? What qualitative and quantitative data will you record and how will you record it? Create a data table to record your observations. Once your samples have been collected, begin writing your report following the format here.
Day 3 Essential Question: How much bacteria is living in your school?
1. You will watch 3 videos on bacteria. Open Bacteria Summary Assignment You will need to make your own copy and keep it in your Google Journal. Each video should contain some valuable information that can come in handy during the writing of your report. Take notes in your ISN and use that to write a summary for each video. Put the summary in the saved doc (see above) and submit the doc into the Schoology assignment.
2. This first video (Bonnie Brassler) is a little long and at times, advanced, but there are some amazing things you will learn about bacteria.
3. The next video (Introduction to Bacteria) is an interesting history of where bacteria began their existence and their role.
4. The last video is an overall introduction to what bacteria are and how they function.
Look at your data and use the Graph Choice Chart to determine the best chart that will demonstrate what question you will like to explore. Make a graph for each qualitative data table you recorded information on. Make no less than 4 graphs. Insert your charts into your investigation. Put any pictures you took in this section of your investigation (label what Petri dish and location by each picture).
Day 4 Essential Question: How much bacteria is living in your school?
Research in Progress- Present and defend your findings and challenges thus far What are some qualitative observations you made yesterday from your plates? What are some qualitative observations? How are you planning to document what is growing on your plates?
Create a document called, Period 1 or 2 (depending on which hour you are) Bacteria Report (last name, first initial).
Begin your report by writing an introduction and creating tables for your observations.