2. Writing in Science
• How is writing in Science class different
than writing in English class?
• How is writing a conclusion for an
investigation like “Survival of the
Beak-est” different than writing a
conclusion for an essay in English?
3. Examples
During class, we have been learning about how fertilizers help plants grow by adding nitrogen to
the soil. Plants need nitrogen so they can grow larger and repair themselves more efficiently.
Bacteria and other decomposers naturally add nitrogen to the soil by breaking down dead
matter from plants and animals. When these are broken down, the nitrogen that was once in
them enters the soil, which can then be used by other plants.
During this lab, I was trying to determine if MiracleGro Fertilizer helps plants grow bigger. My
hypothesis was that it would help plants grow bigger because it is a very well-known fertilizer
(and it wouldn’t be so well known if it didn’t work). My data supported my hypothesis. On
average, the plants that received MiracleGro grew 2 cm in 13 days. The plants that only received
water grew 1.35 cm in 13 days. Therefore, using MiracleGro resulted in bigger plants.
One source of error that may have produced incorrect data collected was that the experiment
wasn’t run for a long enough period of time. I will use the information I learned from this
experiment when I plant a garden this summer. I will be sure to use fertilizer on my garden to
help the plants grow larger. I would like to learn more about different types of fertilizers and if
certain fertilizers work better than others. Then I could use the best fertilizer on my garden.
4.
5. Differences
Structure
Hypothesis
Aim
Observations – only what is seen
Look for patterns (use of visuals like graphs)
Conclusion
use specific data and numbers to describe results
explains science behind ideas
Evaluation: source of errors
6.
7. Sample Observation Checklist Yes No
Is a direct statement of the results (not an interpretation or an
inference) Ex: In Nectar Island 60 ml were collected using the
dropper, 2 ml using forceps followed by BBQ stick with….
Note: Imagine the data talking to you. What is it saying?
8. the 4 different islands.
Bar Graph showing average number of nuts collected
using different beaks
9. Sample Graphing Checklist Yes No
4 sets of bar graphs (separate/combined)
correctly drawn
Graph shows data points for average of trials
Correctly labels X- and Y-axis
Correct units are given
Appropriate title is provided
Work is neatly presented
10. • Aim: How does beak type affect a bird’s ability to eat a
certain type of food?
NOTE: Choose 1 island
• Conclusion Part 1: for your conclusion.
Describe results through eyes of scientist. Record observations.
Just the facts! Be specific & exact. Use the data (#s)! Look for
patterns.
• Conclusion Part 2:
Explain the “science” behind the results. Summary that explains
how mutation, adaptation and natural selection played an
important role in the different bird populations’ ability to
reproduce and survive.
11. Big Idea:
• All claims/statements in the
conclusion need to be
supported by actual evidence
(real numbers) from the
experiment.
13. BIG IDEA:
Evaluation is very
important to
determine whether
the experiment is a
FAIR TEST.
• There may be several minor errors but overall result remains unchanged.
• There may be a single error only but may have greatly affected the final
result.
14. BIG IDEA:
•Going over the
checklist allows you to
check whether you
have missed something
• You have time to make
necessary changes
