Experiments demonstrate scientific method (47 PHOTOS)

By Mary Hierholzer,
Co-Editor-in-Chief
August 30, 2011

Science students abandoned closed-toed shoes to don safety goggles for two days of experiments, Aug. 25-26. Introducing his pupils to the concepts of the scientific method, science teacher Dan Harris gave his classes a chance to conceptualize interesting labs.

When the seventh period chemistry class brainstormed a few ideas for experiments, the class chose to pursue the activity of burning up gummy worms. With an assortment of gummies -- plain and sour worms and sour patch punches -- the class sought to discover which method would melt, explode or burn the sugar best.

To observe the effects of air pressure and temperature, eighth period biology students let empty water bottles sit in a freezer, put caps on top, then placed them in near-boiling water. Hoping that the caps would burst off, the students watched the bottles swell, but Harris ended up twisting them off for effect.

Fifth period physics students, discussing the possibilities of performing experiments, were intrigued with Harris's description of paper helicopters. They spent the next two days constructing the contraptions with differing wing sizes. Once preparations were complete, students gathered above the stairs to drop the various helicopters as Harris recorded the times.

Other experiments included testing the sizes of bubbles from gum brands and monitoring heart rates depending on caffeine consumption.

For more slideshows, read the Aug. 23 article, Back-to-School Night educates parents.





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