(1) Data Analysis with Spreadsheets
(1) Inquiry Activity - Analyzing data with spreadsheets - Density & Buoyancy
- Read: The Sourcebook for Teaching Science - 22.0, 22.1 Inquiry
Place a can of diet soda and a can of regular soda in a container of water and note that the diet soda floats while the regular soda sinks. Why? Try to answer this question in the following inquiry investigation. Obtain a set of “density blocks” from a scientific supply company [sciencesourcebook.com, carolina.com or search density blocks]. All of the blocks are the same size and thus have the same volume, but some sink and some float in water. Determine the volume of the blocks by cubing the length of a side. Express the volume in cubic centimeters. Many supply companies provide blocks with a volume of one cubic inch (1 cubic inch = 16.4 cubic centimeters). Test all blocks in a container of water and record those that float and those that sink. What makes some blocks float, and others sink? What will happen if you combine blocks? Connect blocks with rubber bands and record whether they sink or float (figure 22.2). Record the mass of each combination, the number of blocks, and note whether it sinks or floats. Plot the mass of each combination on the y-axis, and the volume on the x-axis. Indicate “floaters” with an open circle, and “sinkers” with a closed circle. Try to get combinations that neither float nor sink, but stay suspended in the middle of the water column. Examine the evidence you have collected and answer the question, “what determines if an object will sink or float?”
- Determine your group number, and enter your data in the appropriate section.
- Your website should include:
- .xls file with class data
- .jpg files of your graphs
- analysis of your results
- What is an inquiry lesson?
(2) Analyzing experimental data - Reaction time
- Import, format, graph, and analyze class data on reaction time
- Your website should include:
- .xls file with class data
- .jpg files of your data
- An analysis of your results
(3) Analyzing experimental data - Mitosis
- Analyze experimental data on mitosis. (see movie for (1) statistics; (2) graph)
- Your website should include:
- Your excel file with class data
- An analysis of your results, including jpg files of your graph
(4) Analyzing experimental data - Genetics
- Dihybrid Cross - AP Biology genetics lab (corn)
- Your website should include:
- Your excel file with class data
- An analysis of your results, including jpg files of your graph
(5) Using spreadsheets to create scale models
- Express the measurements of a scale model of the solar system designed to fill your classroom or the football field.
- Express the relative sizes or distances of the planets in graphic form
- Your website should include:
- Your excel file with class data
- A photo of your scale model
- A jpg of your final graph of planet sizes
(6) Solving problems with spreadsheets
- Determine the energy of reaction of the combustion of methane (CH4) and ethane (C2H6)
- Your website should include:
- Your excel file with data
- Your answers in numerical form