Extended Practical Investigation

Yr 9 EPI

Yr 9 Science EPI

Builds on your skills from Years 7 – 9

You choose the topic of investigation from the topics Kitchen Kitchen Chemistry Chemistry or MachinesMachines

You may experiment with one other person

Individual report!

Choosing the topic

1. Start with your interests

2. Choose one

3. Focus on some aspect, perhaps something you have been curious about

4. Try and refine this into an investigation of cause and effect

5. Think about how you might be able to test the aim in a practical and achievable experiment

Choosing the topic

Suitable topics are like:

"finding the effect of x on y"

In other words, you are researching the link between cause and an effect.

Choosing the topic

For example:

How does the angle of a ramp effect the distance I can get on my skateboard?

Cause: type of timber Independent variable: angle of ramp Dependent variable: distance

Choosing the topic

Safe and humane experiments only No explosive experiments No flammable liquids No cruel or unethical experiments

Choosing the topic

1. Start with the area of the topics that interests you most

“Hey, I like skateboarding, so ramps interests me the most.”

Choosing the topic

2. Choose one aspect you want to research

I am interested in investigating ramps to improve jumping with my skateboard

Choosing the topic

3. Focus on some aspect, perhaps something you have been curious about

Hmm... I wonder what I need to get the speed I want to jump further on my skateboardNow, how will I set it up?

Choosing the topic

4. Try and refine this into an investigation of cause and effect

How does the height of the ramp affect the speed that I will be going when I hit a jump?

Choosing the topic

5. Think about how you might be able to test the aim in a practical and achievable experimentWell.. I can't buy big ramps and test them. That would require too many materials and take way too long.

What I could do is make some miniature setups and test it in the lab on a smaller scale.

That sounds achievable and practical.

Clarify your investigation

Use the Interactive EPI Designer (see link on wiki)

Focus on: Independent variable

How are you going to change this? Dependent variable

How are you going to measure this? How can you get a “reading” that is not subjective and is realistic

How many trials of each type are you going to do to get more reliable results? Can you do them at the same time?

Control variables What are they? How are you going to keep them the

same each run?

Apparatus

Decide on your equipment: Plan ahead – get all your

equipment ready before you start

Assess the accuracy of your equipment – what are the sources for error?

Keep it simple – a good experiment does not necessarily have to be a complex one with complex equipment.

Write Submission 1

Submission 1 is your detailed plan for your investigation.

You should have discussed your EPI with your teacher in broad detail BEFORE submission 1

See the assessment sheet for exactly what to include

What’s in a report?

Write each heading in your notes. Under each heading, explain the important things to include in this section.

Title Background Info Aim Hypothesis Safety Method Results Discussion Conclusion

Some ideas

How does the size of a wheel affect the speed of my scooter?

Which brand of cleaner is best at removing stains from the carpet?

How does the length of my cricket bat affect how far I can hit the ball?

Which brand of soda has the most fizz?

Important Reminders

You must choose your topic and discuss with your teacher

DO NOT start experimenting until you have approval (submission 1 submitted and approval from your teacher)

Submission 1 DUE early so get started Submission 2 DUE two weeks after you start

Brain storm NOW

1. Start with your interests

2. Choose one

3. Focus on some aspect, perhaps something you have been curious about

4. Try and refine this into an investigation of cause and effect

5. Think about how you might be able to test the aim in a practical and achievable experiment at home