Last week we finished up our introduction to the scientific method and experimental design. We’ll be using these processes throughout the school year and you need to be very familiar with them. Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve done:

• First concepts were introduced in classroom lecture and should be included in your notes. As each concept was introduced you applied them to the pendulum lab.
• Next you watched a video which reviewed the steps and provided an example of students creating an experiment to test if scary movies increase heart rates.
• Then you were given a reference handout detailing the steps and how you should write-up a lab.
• Next you were asked to create an experiment to test the claims made in magazine ads
• Today I returned your graded pendulum labs and reviewed areas in which students fell short of my expectations.

On Friday you’ll be tested on your knowledge and ability to apply this knowledge to various experiment descriptions. You should be able to identify both the independent and dependent variables. Create a key question and hypothesis. Complete an experimental design box and data table, plus take the data from your table and create an appropriate graph.

Please put some extra time in home study to review this information.

Good Luck.