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SCIENTIFIC
METHOD |
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PHYSICAL SCIENCES – SCIENTIFIC METHOD LESSON 2. Investigating a Problem (Lab)
Objective: Students investigate what brand of paper towels is the most cost effective.
Materials: 2 lb coffee can Water clear plastic cup (8 oz) triple beam balance or electronic scale rubber band mass weights calculator
Teacher Notes: Money is important to our society. Many students may not realize that economists study how money impacts societies. Economists use math theory to develop ways in which countries operate. In this lesson, students perform an analysis of paper towels to see if they can find the best buy for a school. They need to incorporate the scientific method in research and making conclusion on the data derived. Students will be testing multiple brands of paper towels to determine which type is most absorbent, the strongest, least expensive to use, the best combination of these and finally, which type is the best to buy, taking all of these results in to consideration. Rather than giving students the variable to be tested and how they are to be tested up front, it is best to lead them to these variables with questions such as, “What is important to you when using a paper towel?” Make a list from their answers but select strength and absorbency as possible key variables. It will be helpful for students to have access to calculators in order to complete the cost analysis. In times of budget
concerns, one very valuable aspect of the lab is the students will
determine if the school brand of towel is really cost effective for the
school or district to be purchasing. A medium sized district (4000
students) can easily spend $10,000 -15,000 a year on paper towels. |