Nature of Science - Scientific Method

Title: “M&M Investigation”

(Adapted from Inquiry Matters: Activity 1.5)

Problem Statement(What am I trying to discover?):

Does the temperature of the water affect how fast the colored coating dissolves from an M&M?

Hypothesis(predict what will happen using an “If…then” statement):

______

Materials:

3 M&M’s (same color)Paper towelsGraduated cylinder

1 white (plastic or coated) dessert platesMeasuring CupThermometer

Room-temperature waterHot waterCold water

Variables and Control Test:

1.Test/Independent/Manipulated variable (changed):______

2.Outcome/Dependent/Responding variable (responded to change):______

3. ControlGroup (use for comparison): ______

4. Constants (Controlled - kept the same): ______

______

Procedures (Directions):

  1. Take the temperature of the room temperature water. Record on the Group Data table.
  2. Pour 50mL of room-temperature water into the plate.
  3. With the help of your partners, place a same-colored M&M in the center of the plate and

Observe for 1 minute. (stopwatch online)

  1. Record the qualitative observations you see during the 1 minute.
  2. Measure the distance in centimeters that the colored coating traveled in a minute. (Measure from the center.)
  3. Record your quantitative observations on the group Data Table Trial # ____.
  4. Repeat steps 1-6 with the cold water, then repeat steps 1-6 with hot water.
  5. Record your group’s trial data on the class data chart.
  6. Copy the other group’s trial data from the class data chart.
  7. Find the average for all of the trials and record.

Data: Qualitative Observations:

______

______

______

Group Data: TRIAL #______

Record starting (original)water temperature below.

Room Temperature Water
______C / Cold Water
______C / Hot Water
______C
______cm / ______cm / ______cm

Class Data:

Distance Color Coating Traveled in Centimeters
Trial # / Room Temperature Water / Cold
Water / Hot
Water
1
2
3
4
5
6
Average*

*Create a graph using the average for all of the trials.

Results: Brief statementdescribing the data (evidence) collected.

______

______

Conclusion(Answer the following questions to write the conclusion):

What was investigated?(Describe the problem statement.)

Restate your hypothesis, and tell if it was supported or not supported.

What were the major findings? (Use evidence to explain results.)

______

______

______

______

Applications(Answer the following questions to write the application):

What recommendations do you have for improving the experiment?

Explain what you learned from your experiment that could be applied in real life.

What new questions did your experiment, lead you to ask that could be tested in a new investigation?

______

______

______

______