LABS ONLINE: USING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
To use the online labs: Complete the lab by copying down the questions and their answers, you must also include any drawings and or diagrams. On the top of your first page remember to write your name, the date and the name of the lab. Or, click here to download the printable version (PDF). Printing will include all the questions, diagrams and the necessary space to answer them in.
- The students often ask "why can't we invent something in the Laboratory?" By following the standardized procedure of the creation of a polymer substance, the student is called upon to employ steps of the Scientific Method.
- Using the Scientific Method the student will produce a polymer.
- Borax solution ( 1 gram of Borax dissolved in 500 ml of water)
- Stirring rods
- 250 ml beakers
- Tap or distilled water
- Graduated cylinder
- Food coloring
- The actual sequence of steps is not given to the students.
- The purpose is to have the students hypothesize the exact sequence while documenting, testing and analyzing the resulting products.
- Students are placed into small groups and asked to produce a polymer by trial and error.
- The correct sequence is important. If the steps are not in the correct order the product will not have the correct texture.
- Students must understand that the supplies are limited, so small amounts should be used.
Actual Procedure: Teacher Only!
- In 250 ml beaker add 40 ml glue
- add 25 ml of water
- stir until uniform consistancy
- add desired amounts of food coloring
- while stirring add borax solution into mixture
- do not stop stirring until the mixture has solidified
- Take out the stirring rod and play with the product (5 minutes)
- Rolling product in hands will move all moisture
- How many hypotheses were proposed?
- What is the correct sequence?
- What 2 materials can change sequence?
- What solidified the mixture?
- Turn in the documentation of each trial.