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Teaching Children Science Book Cover
Teaching Children Science: A Project-Based Approach, 2/e
Joe Krajcik, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Charlene Czerniak, University of Toledo
Carl Berger, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
How Are Scientific Investigations Developed?

COMPARING TWO INVESTIGATIONS

Materials Needed:

  • A partner
  • Two thermometers
  • Two Styrofoam cups
  • Hot water
  • Stirring rods



1

Read the following investigations.

Investigation 1: Cooling It by Stirring
Purpose: You will observe how the temperature of a hot liquid changes with stirring.
Materials: Two thermometers, two Styrofoam cups, hot water, and stirring rods
Procedures for collecting the data:
  1. Label one Styrofoam cup "Stirring" and one "Control."
  2. Fill the two cups with 150 ml of hot water. Caution: Hot water can burn you. Make sure both cups are secure.
  3. Place a thermometer in each cup.
  4. Gently stir one of the cups of hot water until the end of the experiment.
  5. Record the temperature of each cup every 3 minutes for 24 minutes.

Data analysis: For each cup, make a graph of temperature versus time. Place temperature on the y-axis and time on the x-axis. Place each graph on the same grid.
Questions:
  1. What was the starting temperature of each of the cups?
  2. What was the final temperature of each of the cups?
  3. Which cup changed temperature first? Why do you think this one changed first?
  4. How long did it take before the temperature of the other cup began to change?
  5. How does stirring affect the cooling of a hot -liquid?
Conclusions: Write a conclusion to support your data.

Investigation 2: Stirring Things Up
Prediction: If one cup of hot liquid is allowed to cool undisturbed while another is constantly stirred for a period of time, will one cool faster than the other? Draw a graph to illustrate your prediction.
Purpose: In this investigation, you will determine if people who constantly stir their coffee are really affecting the cooling process or just exhibiting a case of nerves.
Challenge: Design an experimental procedure to find an answer to the question proposed.
Questions to think about:
  1. Did your results agree with your original prediction? Why or why not?
  2. Will you continue to stir your coffee? Explain.
Additional investigation: What other variables might have an effect on the cooling process? Set up investigations to explore these other factors.
2

Use Table 4.16 to discuss the two investigations. How are they alike? Different? Which is most like project-based science? Why?








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