Black Box Activity: Scientific Process

Black Box Lab• Purpose: find out what is inside the box

without opening it.

• Why: Real Science doesn’t have a magic answer book. The key way to learn science is by making observations and or experimenting and collecting data.

ObservationsA. Investigate the container, but do not open the

box. Record your observations – describe types of sounds...

B. If you had all the money and scientific equipment in the world, what other methods might you use to make more observations?

C. Why is making observations the first step in solving the question, "what is in the black box?"

HypothesisA. Make a hypothesis (an explanation that

might be true and can be tested through experiments) about the contents of the black box.

B. What evidence (data) did you base your guess on?

Elements of an Experiment

The Elements of an Experiment:

• Once a question or hypothesis has been formed, the scientists turns their attention to answering the question (testing the hypothesis) through experiments. An important step in designing an experiment is identifying the variables involved.

• Variables are things that may be expected to change during the

experiment. – Scientists deliberately change the independent variable. – The Scientists then measures the dependent variable to learn the

effect of changing the independent variable. – It is also necessary to include control treatments in an experiment. A

control treatment is a treatment in which the independent variable is either eliminated or set at a standard value.

• The results of the control treatment are compared to the results of the experimental treatment. Another important part of experimental design is replication.

• Replicating the experiments means that the scientist repeats the experiments many times using exactly the same conditions to see if the results are consistent.

Procedure• Tomorrow you are going to be given materials to

run an experiment to investigate the contents of the black box. Develop a procedure for tomorrow’s experiment.

• Materials will include: Use empty box and provided objects -- string, paper clips...

• Step 1)Step 2)

• Step 3)• Step 4)

Data/ResultsDescribe the results of using the procedure

above?– Trial 1 object(s): ______________

• Describe how close to sealed box # __

– Trial 2 object(s): ______________• Describe how close to sealed box # __

Continue doing as many trials as necessary…

ConclusionThe hypotheses that

_____________________________ object(s) was/ were inside the black box was (supported/ disproved) because…

– (2-4 additional sentences) Describe how the data collected comparing the original (control) box against the experimental test box was similar or different based on objects placed

– Each group member must write an independent conclusion

• Discussing before writing • Same words and Same 2-4 additional sentences

HMMM…Suppose the teacher tells you your conclusion

is incorrect or is not completely correct. List at least 2 reasons why you could have made an incorrect or not completely correct conclusion about what was in the “black box”.