CLN Science Name:

Whirlybird Lab Period:

Date

Whirlybird Lab

Pre-Lab:

Experimental Design: Making the whirlybird

1.  Carefully cut out the whirlybird. (Do NOT cut out the example below).

2.  Measure the following parts of the whirlybird and record your data below. Round to the 10th of a centimeter or 10th of a gram.

Whirlybird Parts / Measurement
A / Length / cm
B / Width / cm
C / Length of wings (open) / cm
D / Length of body / cm
E / Length of tail / cm
F / Total mass / g

Results: Testing the whirlybird’s flight

1.  Record the whirlybird’s flight in the table below. Start the timer when you let go of the whirlybird and stop the timer when the whirlybird hits the ground.

2.  Find the average flight time of the whirlybird. Round to the nearest 10th of a second.

Trials / Time (sec.)
1
2
3
4
5
Average

Discussion / Conclusion:

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1.  What is the purpose of repeating the experiment 5 times? Give examples if possible.

2.  Compare the average flight for your whirlybird to three other people in the class.

Your Average / Partner #1:______/ Partner #2: ______/ Partner #3: ______

3.  Offer two possible reasons for why your average was different from your partner’s averages even though you had the exact same whirlybird.

4.  How could you improve this experiment so that everyone’s averages were more similar?

Whirlybird Lab

Purpose: The first purpose of this lab is to determine the factors that affect how long the whirlybird can fly. In order to determine this, you will need to identify the difference between controls and variables within an experiment. To determine which factor (variable) allows the whirlybird to stay in the air the longest, you will learn why it is important to manipulate only one variable at a time.

Background:

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1.  A whirlybird is modeled to behave like a maple seed. Describe the shape of a maple seed.

2.  Describe how a maple seed behaves when it falls through the air.

3.  Give a reason for why it is beneficial for the survival of a maple tree to have seeds designed like this.

4.  What are some factors (variables) that might affect the flight of the whirlybird? (List as many as possible).


5.  Choose one factor (variable) above that you would change to test whether the whirlybird could fly in the air longer.
Task: Your task is to propose and complete a small experiment that will enable you to gather data to determine whether your chosen factor (variable) allows the whirlybird to fly longer.
Hypothesis: State your hypothesis for why you think your chosen factor (variable) will allow the whirlybird to fly longer. Justify your hypothesis with evidence you have about maple seeds or previous whirlybird flights. Use If…Then…Because form.
Experimental Design:
1.  List the factor (independent variable) you are going to change. List the factor (dependent variable) you hope to alter with by changing the independent variable.
2.  Choose three different ways you can modify this variable. Give a specific description including measurements for each whirlybird and draw a detailed illustration.
Control / Modified Factors (Variables)
Original Whirlybird / Whirlybird #1 / Whirlybird #2 / Whirlybird #3
Description
Illustration
Results:
1.  For each of the whirlybirds, you will need to test their flight 5 times. Use the table below to record how long (in seconds) each whirlybird stays in flight. Round to the nearest 10th of a second.
Trials / Original Whirlybird / Whirlybird #1 / Whirlybird #2 / Whirlybird #3
1
2
3
4
5
Average
2.  Analyze your results by creating a comparison line graph for trials 1 through 5. Include an explanation of what your graph is showing. Your graph must be created on graph paper or computer generated. (Do not plot the averages on this graph).
Discussion / Conclusion:
1.  Do you accept or reject your hypothesis? (Was it correct or incorrect?)
  1. Restate your hypothesis.
  1. Use data from your results chart and/or graph to prove or disprove your hypothesis.

2.  Observe your comparison line graph. What trends (patterns) do you see in your data? Offer a possible explanation for why these trends might have occurred.

3.  One purpose of this experiment is to know the difference between a control and a variable.

  1. Describe the difference between your control whirlybird and variable whirlybirds.
  1. How many variables were you supposed to change in this experiment?
  1. How many variables were changed? List the variables you were unable to control in this experiment.
  1. Describe a possible follow-up experiment that could help you limit the number of variables changed within this experiment.

4.  Think back to the maple seeds. Compare the flight of the whirlybird to the maple seed. What possible advantage would a seed have if it took longer to hit the ground after it fell from the tree?