Inquiry Labs on the Properties of Water

Summary

Students will create 2 simple labs to investigate either cohesion, adhesion, capillary action, dissolving properties or heat capacity. They will also learn about independent and dependent variables.

Materials

• student sheet, lab 1 (attached)
• student sheet, lab 2 (attached)
• soap
• pennies
• pipettes
• petrie dishes
• alcohol
• water
• capillary tubes
• pepper corns
• needles
• food coloring
• filter paper
• overhead markers
• alcohol burners
• beakers
• spoons
• vinegar
• oil
• any other supplies you can think of that may help them design their experiments

Student Prior Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of the properties of water.

Instructional Procedures

1. Pass out student sheet
2. Have students design their first experiment (title through procedures)
3. Groups should write their hypothesis on the overhead so that no experiments overlap
4. Note: these labs do not need to be complicated, I stress to them the importance of the scientific method, repeating experiments enough times, choosing one variable. . .etc
5. Allow students to complete first lab
6. Repeat the same steps for the second lab the next day.

Assessment Plan

Scoring Guide:

Students included all factors.......................10 pts
Students listed populations........................15 pts
Paragraphs are well thought out and complete...............20 pts
Picture of ecosystem is neat and colorful..........10 pts
Student participated........................10 pts

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.