Scientific Method Lab: Exploring Termite Behavior Group Members

Name: Period:

Scientific Method Lab: Exploring Termite Behavior Group members:

Materials

2 red, 2 blue, and 2 black writing utensils

White paper and/or colored paper

Small brush

Termite(s)

Background:

Summary of background information regarding termite communication: Provide at least 5 main ideas below.

Procedure

1. Read the provided information on subterranean termites and the scientific method.

2. Using the writing utensils provided, draw lines and shapes on your paper. Try one writing utensil and one shape at a time.

3. Place your termites on the paper using the brush to keep them from straying. DO NOT LET THEM ESCAPE and BE GENTLE.

4. Observe how the termites interact with your drawings. Carefully and write down all observations. These should be detailed. Include the shape drawn, the color and type of writing utensil used in each trial. Record your observations on your data sheet.

5. After about 5 minutes of observation, develop a hypothesis based on your observations. For example, the termites (write termite behavior here) because (reason you think that behavior occurs). Record your hypothesis on under the “HYPOTHESIS” part of your data sheet.

6. Develop a procedure so you can test one of your hypotheses. In other words, what are you going to do? How will you set up your experimental and control groups? Use only ONE variable. Be specific!

7. Design your experiment

8. Conduct your experiment.

9. Collect data from your experiment. Record data on your data sheet.

10. Analyze your data. Discuss the data collected with your lab group. Use your discussion to draw a conclusion about your hypothesis.

11. Draw conclusions. Questions to consider when drawing conclusions about your

experiment:

·  Do the results support your hypothesis?

·  Were there any variations in the observed behaviors?

·  Were there any surprises?

·  Based on your data, would you accept, reject, or modify your hypothesis?

·  Explain ALL statements in detail!

LAB REPORT

Initial Observations:

You may do more observations on a separate sheet if you need/want to. Just staple it to this sheet when you are done.

Describe the appearance of your termites here: Draw them if you wish. Pay attention to detail!

Observation 1:

Writing utensil used: ______Line/shape drawn:

Observations:

Observation 2:

Writing utensil used: ______Line/shape drawn:

Observations:

Observation 3:

Writing utensil used: ______Line/shape drawn:

Observations:

Other Observations:

Hypothesis: Now that you have made some initial observations and gathered background information. Write a hypothesis below based on what you have learned.

Hypothesis:

Design an Experiment:

Describe your control group:

Describe your experimental group:

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

Procedure: Write a detailed procedure about how you tested your hypothesis below. Include illustrations if necessary.

Data Collection and Record Keeping: If your data doesn’t fit this template you can do this part on a separate sheet of paper and skip the section below.

Trial 1:

Writing utensil used: ______Line/shape drawn:

Observations:

Trial 2:

Writing utensil used: ______Line/shape drawn:

Observations:

Trial 3:

Writing utensil used: ______Line/shape drawn:

Observations:

Trial 4:

Writing utensil used: ______Line/shape drawn:

Observations:

Conclusion: What can you conclude about termite behavior based on your data? Reject,support,or inconclusive? Explain why you made that conclusion by referring to your data. 3-5 sentences.