Lab Experiments With the Scientific Method

Effect of Milk On Plant Growth

Gather what you need for the project, including two potted or separated areas for plants with soil, a package of tomato seeds, a measuring cup, a ruler, milk, a marker, two note cards, water, a piece of paper and a sun-lit environment. Plant half of the tomato seeds in one of the two containers and half into the other. Label one planted area "Milk Plants" and the other area "Water Plants" with the note cards and marker. Make a hypothesis, for example: the milk plants will grow better than the water plants. Pour liquid into each of the two plant sections, watering the "water plants" and using milk on the "milk plants." Repeat this liquid-ing process each day for two weeks, using the same amount of liquid each day. Measure and record on your piece of paper the height of the plants each day once sprouts are seen. For the first few days when sprouts are not seen, mark that there are no sprouts. This information can be used to make a chart and a graph later of the success of each type of liquid on aiding plant growth. At the end of the two weeks, make conclusions based on the data you recorded. See which plants grew better, the "milk plants" or the "water plants." Record if your hypothesis was proven or disproven.

Collect the items you will need for this experiment, including ten boys and ten girls of the same age as participants, a ruler, a stop watch, a table, chairs, a writing utensil and paper. Make a hypothesis, such as that boys will have an average shorter response time than girls. Begin with either the boys or the girls and have the first test subject sit at the table. Have the student drop the rule and time how long it takes from the drop of the rule to when the student picks it up. Repeat the steps five times with that student, keeping a record of all of the trials. Repeat with the next student. Take the average time for each student, and then compare the girls' times against the boys' times. Use the data to make a graph and a chart of the information you collected. Use the data to see if your hypothesis was proved or disproved and make a conclusion.

Use episodes of the television show "Mythbusters" to help kids understand the concept of the scientific method. Write out a worksheet having students pinpoint the research involved before experiments happen, the hypothesis, the variables in the experiment, the experiment itself, the results and the conclusion. Pause the videos at different points throughout the episode to have students write down or say aloud if they agree with or disagree with the hypothesis or what they think might happen next. Using a "Mythbusters" episode will be a fun way to break up the normal science classes.

Collect what you will need for this experiment, including a piece of paper and a pen, a stopwatch and a group of ten girls and ten boys that are the same age. Make a hypothesis about the experiment, such as that girls have better balance than boys. Have each student complete the experiment one at a time. Have the student stand on their right foot and time the student to see how long he can balance. Repeat five times, record each time and take the average. Have the same student stand on his left food and time the student to see how long he can balance. Repeat five times, record each time and take the average. Do the same thing with each student. Break up your findings into a girls section and a boys section. Use your data to make a chart and graph of your findings. Make a conclusion about your findings, determining if boys or girls have better balance.