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Making It As A Middle School Teacher

{Great way to teach Scientific Method while doing a

quick, fun lab!}

©Michelle Lundy

Making It As A Middle School Teacher

2012

Michelle Lundy ©Making It As A Middle School Teacher 2012

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Scientific Method ~ Coin Lab

How many drops of water can a coin hold?

You are a Scientist! Apply the Scientific Method as you work through this lab.
Purpose

To show how changes in procedures can cause changes in results.

Materials

2 different coins

Paper towel

Eyedropper

Water

Lab Sheet

Procedure

1. Begin the Scientific Method Sheet and continue it as you work through this
lab.
2. Put two different types of coins on a paper towel.
3. Use an eyedropper to put drops of water on the coins. Count how many
drops each coin can hold before the water overflows.
4. Record findings on the Lab Sheet.

Michelle Lundy ©Making It As A Middle School Teacher 2012

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Scientific Method Sheet

Complete the Parallel Flow Map for this lab. Write your ideas on the right side.

Problem

Research

Hypothesis

Experiment

Analyze
Data

Conclusion

Michelle Lundy ©Making It As A Middle School Teacher 2012

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Lab Sheet

Coin #1 : _____________ Coin #2 : _____________

Heads or Tails? Heads or Tails?

First Trial # of Drops: _________ # of Drops: _________

Close to coin Close to coin
or farther away? or farther away?

Dropping fast or slow? Dropping fast or slow?

What do you think?

 Does it matter what type of coin you use or which side of the coin you use?
 Does it matter how far the eyedropper is above the coin?
 Does it matter if you drop the water quickly or slowly?
 Repeat while changing some of choices you made in the first trial.

Coin #1 : _____________ Coin #2 : _____________

Heads or Tails? Heads or Tails?

Second Trial # of Drops: _________ # of Drops: _________

Close to coin Close to coin
or farther away? or farther away?

Dropping fast or slow? Dropping fast or slow?

Michelle Lundy ©Making It As A Middle School Teacher 2012

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Lab Sheet
Answer the questions from: What Do You Think?

1. Does it matter what type of coin you use or which side of the coin you use?

2. Does it matter how far the eyedropper is above the coin?

3. Does it matter if you drop the water quickly or slowly?

4. What did you change in the second trial? What specific changes did you observe?

5. How did your hypothesis hold up? Did you prove or disprove it?

6. If you need to rewrite your hypothesis, what would you say?

Michelle Lundy ©Making It As A Middle School Teacher 2012

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Michelle Lundy ©Making It As A Middle School Teacher 2012