Populations Lab

Some students have asked for the Populations L  ab requirements spelled out more clearly.  So here it is!

1. Focused Question:  Clearly states what is being tested in the investigation.  It is possible in this lab that you might have a secondary question,  and that is ok with me this time!
2. Background Information: 1-2 paragraphs of background of the investigation.  This can include your personal experience, research (cite the sources!), and educated guesses.  Generally a good background goes from more general information to the most specific and addresses your actual question.
3. Variables:  Here you list the dependent variable, independent variables, and the controlled variables.  You need to discuss how you controlled (or monitored) the controlled variables, barriers to controlling them, etc.  If you are doing a strict correlational study, then technically there is not a dependent and independent variable and you can say that.  However, if you are doing a t-test, then you can state that whatever varies between the 2 populations is the independent variable and what you are comparing is the dependent.
4. Procedure/Methodology:  This can be in a list format or paragraph, but either way, it needs to be detailed enough that another investigator could accurately reproduce your procedure.  Make sure that you include details about how you measured things, how many trials, etc.
5. Data Table:  Should be neat and organized.  Needs to have clear labels (a title can help!), units, uncertainty, and needs to have quantitative as well as qualitative data.  The qualitative data (observations) are often written under the quantitative table or can be included in the table.
6. Data Processing:  This can include calculations, graphs, or other visuals.  Calculations should show the complete work for at least one sample of each type of calculation done.  Graphs should be well-titled, have uncertainty bars (where appropriate), have good labels, units, annotation, etc.
7. Conclusion:  Refer back to your question and answer it using data to back yourself up!  When doing a t-test, it is important that you reference the averages of each group as well as the t-value result.  Use science to try to explain your results.  Discuss the impact of uncertainty on your results.  
8. Evaluation:  Discuss strengths and weaknesses of your investigation.  I would encourage you to list 3 strengths.  For the 3 weaknesses, you can list them in a table as we have done before.  Describe the weaknesses, you can list cause of the uncertainty/limitation and suggest possible realistic improvements for each of them.  Also, list further investigations that you could do next and why you would do them.

Classification Lessons

• Wed/Thurs 10/29-10/30:  Take Evolution Test and do 5.3 questions
• Thurs/Wed 10/31and11/6:  Check off 5.3 questions.  Some notes on classification.  Animal Phyla Lab.  Answer questions and turn in next class.  Populations Lab pre-write.
• Mon/Tues 11/4-11/5:  Fish Dichotomous Key done in partners.  When done, make your own dichotomous keys in partners using physical characteristics for a set of 10 objects.  Do Thurs/Fri.
• Thurs/Fri 11/7-11/8:  Exchange dichotomous keys and do them.  Turn in Animal Phyla Lab.  Check off 5.3 questions.  Some notes on animal phyla.  Do the ones on vertebrate classes and plant divisions on your own.  Take data for Populations Lab.  Read 5.4.
• Tues/Wed 11/12-11/13:  Notes on the universality of biological molecules and how to make a phylogenetic tree.  Do Cladogram Activity Part I in pairs.  Take data for the Populations Lab.
• Thurs/Fri 11/14-11/15:  More on how to make cladograms, the concept of molecular clocks, etc.  Do Cladogram Activity Part II.  Take data for Populations Lab.
• Mon/Tues 11/18-11/19:  Peer Review of Populations Lab.  Review for Biodiversity Test.  Play Kahoot.
• Wed/Thurs 11/20-11/21:  Biodiversity Test.  Start Reading 6.2 on the Circulatory System and work on the Circulation Worksheet.
• Fri/Mon  11/22 and 12/2:  Structure of the human heart.  Blood vessels.  New models overtaking old.  Keep working on Circulation Worksheet, due next class.

Lesson Plan for 11/4 and 11/5/2019

1. No Early Work!  We will start a new sheet and add up the old set on Wed/Thurs.
2. Dichotomous Key of Fish Assignments.  Mr. Plies will give you some tips and go over how to do the first fish.  You can do this assignment in pairs and then turn in 1 fish sheet with both of your names on it.  You can give the Fish Key sheet back to Mr. Plies when you are done so we can reuse them.
3. Now you can design your own dichotomous key to separate at least 10 items from the theme of your choice.  Some ideas include movies, fruits, sports, etc.  There are many ways to do it, but you should include at least 10 images and write your key based on observable characteristics.
4. When done, work on your pre-write for your Populations Lab.  We will start taking data on Wednesday.  First draft is due next week, so make sure you have plans to take your data.  
5. 4th Period:  You can also work on completing the Animal Phyla Lab.