Laboratory Controlling Conditions for Research
Laboratory Objectives:
- Explain why controlling variables in laboratory work can assist in drawing conclusions from research.
- Using a moss investigation as an example, describe how science discovery can be applied to small-scale habitats.
- Provide an example of an exploratory study that can generate variables for further research.
When you think of laboratory work, what do you think of?
Common responses we’ve heard include:
- equipment: beakers, bunsen burners, scales, microscopes.
- furniture: lab benches, stools, hoods, safety showers.
- specimens: dissected animals, fossils, tanks.
Unfortunately, the people described are often stereotypically similar, possibly due to only a few well-know scientists like Einstein, Newton, or Darwin.
Science is richer with diverse perspectives. There are many ways to participate in science: helping your kids with their science homework, working in a community garden, or voting on science-related issues.
We hope everyone will feel included in the scientific endeavor.
Laboratories are settings where you can control variables (like light, temperature, and noise) and have easy access to needed equipment.
By controlling variables and only altering one at a time, it is possible to draw conclusions, including cause and effect.
You can use a kitchen, bathroom, or even a corner is a closet. The key is to not leave any potential safety hazards behind. For example, not storing experimental waste materials in your fridge.
Moss Study
This moss study will demonstrate how exploration leads to description and explanation.
To get an idea of how many organisms live in moss, we will collect dry moss that has fallen off the branches of an oak tree.
A bit more moss to make sure we have enough.
We are adding some lichens too. These are fungi with algae (and sometimes bacteria) living inside. We will examine this amazing community in an upcoming Guide. Since they fell off of the same branches as the moss, they share many similar organisms.
Now we are taking this mixture of moss and lichens into a more controlled setting so humidity will remain high.
Some of the organisms are visible with the naked (unassisted) eye. Immediately the mind begins to describe what it sees. Something long that whips around? What organism comes to mind?
Now a quick look under the microscope. The orange color is pigment from the moss. So many questions immediately come to mind. Primarily “what is that little dot zipping across the screen”” Once description is underway, like identifying the nematode worms, other questions arise. Were they moving before the moss was hydrated? How did they survive the hot summer in dry moss? Searching for explanations is the logical next step. We have amazing microscope adventures ahead.
Now when you view wet moss you will always know that it is probably teaming with life. A moss view perspective of the world.
Exploratory Study
Gardens can be a form of laboratory, a place to control variables to attempt to isolate cause and effect.
Gardening may also model positive human interactions with the natural world
Often in the science discovery process, exploration begins with a biodiversity lens, finding and identifying species. As this video demonstrates, variables can emerge that lead to an ecological focus, such as which flowers the bumble bees prefer. This exploratory study is intended to identify variables that impact bee survival.
The first study led to observations in a different part of the garden.
Our next step will be to separate the zinnia colors to different parts of the garden to determine whether the bess seek out particular colors rater than opportunistically landing on the nearest plant. By isolating a variable, it is easier to draw conclusions. Initial studies lead to more questions and more studies. We originally planted the wildflowers to support bees, but the studies from this summer will give a better indicator of what to plant next year. Eventually we hope to have an evidence-based bee conservation plan.
This is the end of Guide 1B. Please proceed to the product page.
Check your knowledge. Can you:
- Explain why controlling variables in laboratory work can assist in drawing conclusions from research?
- Using a moss investigation as an example, describe how science discovery can be applied to small-scale habitats?
- Provide an example of an exploratory study that can generate variables for further research?
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Research Guide Contents
Complete all four of these sections before taking the quiz and making your media piece.
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This week’s overview
This Guide
1B: Research
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