Inquiry, Rich Math Problems

Post date: Mar 14, 2015 12:12:47 PM

Here is a link to a list of problems that Todd Morstein and Sean Bird collaborated to write. If you want to learn more about the Lab Cradle and why it is useful, check out these blog entries here.

Inquiry lab instructions

a) Describe your experimental design with a labeled diagram. Include how you vary and measure the variables. For example, how did you vary the pressure and temperature.

b) What assumptions are you making in your design? 

c) Mention what the independent and dependent variables are.

d) What are sources of experimental uncertainty and how can you minimize them? 

e) Record your observations in an appropriate format. Make a table and a graph if necessary.

f) Analyze and find a function for your data. Can you identify a curve that best fits the data? Is there a way to plot 'creative' variable on the access, so the graph is linear and the slope is meaningful.

g) What pattern(s) did you find from your observations? Write a verbal description and a mathematical relationship.

h) How might you design your lab differently to mitigate errors or uncertainty in data collection or explore another question?

For a list of science equations and a handout that I've used in my classroom, see the attached file below.