Health Science

SCN100A 1 Assignment SCN100A Health Science - The Balloon Rocket - The process of investigating and experimenting is important to science. To succeed within the science disciplines at University, you need to be able to work scientifically. In this experiment, you will: • Work in groups • Design and conduct a simple experiment • Identify and discuss the important components of an experiment • Identify different variables in an experiment • Use mathematic approaches to summarising data • Describe mathematical relationships between variables • Apply scientific reasoning to explain data patterns Experimental Design RESEARCH QUESTION What happens to the distance travelled by the balloon rocket when the circumference of the balloon is changed? MATERIALS • 3 x Balloons • 1 x Drinking straw • 9 x Sticky tape • 1 x Measuring tape/ruler • 1 x Scissors • 1 x Fishing line • 2 x Objects to ‘anchor’ fishing line VARIABLES Balloon • Circumference: decide on three circumferences in mm • Trials: trial each circumference three times Drinking Straw • Length: decide on the length of the straw used in mm Sticky Tape • Length: decide on the length of sticky tape used in mm Fishing Line • Length: decide on the length of the line used in mm Anchors • Strength: decide on anchors which do not move easily SCN100A 2 Assignment CONSTRUCTION • Place a length of fishing line through a drinking straw • Add a piece of masking tape over the straw • Secure the ends of the fishing line to objects which hold the line tight and securely • Inflate the balloon • Hold it tightly so the air does not escape • Gently tape the balloon to the straw • Hold the balloon at one end of the fishing line • Release the balloon and allow it travel along the length of the line • The balloon MUST NOT hit the end of the line • Measure the distance travelled (in mm) • Record your data in the table provided SCN100A 3 Assignment Experimental Data 1. Record your results as you carry out the experiment, using the following table: Balloon Circumference (mm) Distance Travelled (mm) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average Note: Averages should be calculated to 2 decimal places 2. Draw a diagram of your experimental set-up below, including measurements: SCN100A 4 Assignment Assignment Requirements Aim (References are not required) 1. Write one sentence explaining the purpose of the experiment, using the research question as a guide. (Hint: To …) Hypothesis (References are not required) 2. Write one sentence predicting the cause and effect between the variables. (Hint: If …, then …) Experimental Design (References are not required) 1. List the dependent variable in this experiment. 2. Why is this the dependent variable? 3. List the independent variable in this experiment? 4. Why is this the independent variable? 5. List six controlled variables. How did you control these? (Hint: These are items that you deliberately did not change during the experiment) 6. Insert a computer-generated labelled diagram of your experiment. Remember to include measurements. The diagram must have a descriptive title. 7. Identify and explain four safety/ethical precautions you made to minimize the risk of injury to yourself and others. Results (References are not required) 1. Display your measurements in a table (Table 1). The table must have a descriptive title. 2. Display your trial data in a line graph (Figure 1). The graph must have a descriptive title. 3. Display your average data a line graph (Figure 2). The graph must have a descriptive title. Results Interpretation (References are not required) 1. Discuss the results and state a conclusion about the data in Figure 1. You need to identify the patterns that you see in the data. Use specific data points from your graph as evidence for your discussion. 2. Discuss the results and state a conclusion about the data in Figure 2. You need to identify the patterns that you see in the data. Use specific data points from your graph as evidence for your discussion. SCN100A 5 Assignment 3. Discuss any errors in your data. 4. Explain any problems that you encountered doing the experiment that may have affected the accuracy of the results. 5. Provide two suggestions to improve the experiment and explain why. Discussion (References are required) 1. Explain the science behind what you observed using the scientific terms below. Make sure you understand their meaning so that what you write makes sense. • Force • Potential Energy • Kinetic Energy • Air Pressure • Elasticity • Friction • Air Resistance • Gravity • Inertia • Action-Reaction Conclusion (References are not required) 1. Discuss the extent to which the findings of your experiment support/do not support your hypothesis. 2. Discuss what you learned by doing the experiment. References • A minimum of five references should be provided • These need to be in APA format (in-text and end-text) • The heading and list of references should start on a new page at the end of the report • Do not reference Wikipedia (only .gov, .edu, .org websites are acceptable) SCN100A 6 Assignment Submission Information Due Date Week 9, Friday, 9am Marks 100 Weighting 20% of the total unit mark Marks Allocation Check the rubric before you submit to ensure you have covered all required aspects Turnitin Follow Turnitin Link in Moodle under Week 9 (Multiple submissions are allowed up until the due date) Plagiarism Originality report must be below 20% or up to 4 marks will be lost (1 mark per 10%) Submission PIBT Assignment Cover Sheet required (Cover page and contents page not required) Formatting 11 or 12 size font; double spaced; Word document Word Count Five pages (Not including references and cover sheet) Late assignments will incur a penalty of 5% per day (refer to Unit Outline) Plagiarism and Collusion will not be tolerated, and will result in a grade of 0 SCN100A 7 Assignment Balloon Rocket Assignment Rubric MARKING CRITERIA Not Present Poor Average Good Excellent Presentation • Cover page attached • Double spacing • Correct font size throughout • Subheadings provided 0 1 2 3 4 Writing Skills • Correct grammar throughout • Correct spelling throughout • Each paragraph is cohesive • Adheres to word count 0 1 2 3 4 Aim • Worded correctly • Includes correct variables 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Hypothesis • Worded correctly • Includes a reasonable prediction 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Independent Variable • Identified correctly • Explanation provided 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Dependent Variable • Identified correctly • Explanation provided 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Controlled Variables • Identifies 6 correct variables • Explanation of how each is controlled 0 3 6 9 12 Scientific Diagram • Computer generated • Labelled (including measurements) • No colour or shading • All components included 0 1 2 3 4 Safety and Ethical Considerations • Four considerations identified • All considerations explained 0 2 4 6 8 Results - Table • Appropriate title • Correctly presented • Computer generated • Averages calculated to correct decimal places 0 1 2 3 4 Results - Trial Data Graph • Appropriate title • Appropriate line graph • Computer generated • Axes correctly labelled 0 1 2 3 4 Results - Trial Data Discussed • Results of graph discussed • Patterns identified • Specific data points included • Conclusion provided 0 1 2 3 4 Results - Average Data Graph • Appropriate title • Appropriate line graph • Computer generated • Axes correctly labelled 0 1 2 3 4 Results - Average Data Discussed • Results of graph discussed • Patterns identified • Specific data points included • Conclusion provided 0 1 2 3 4 SCN100A 8 Assignment Data Errors • Data errors identified • Data errors discussed 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Problems • Problems identified • Problems discussed 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Suggestions • Two provided • Both discussed 0 1 2 3 4 Discussion • All 10 scientific concepts included • All 10 scientific concepts correctly related to results 0 5 10 15 20 Conclusion • Hypothesis discussed • What was learned discussed 0 1 2 3 4 References • Minimum 5 references included • In-text correct APA format • End-text correct APA format • End-text references on new page • Credible sources used 0 2 4 6 8 Total /100 Scaled = Score x 20% 100