Janice VanCleave’s Crazy, Kooky, and Quirky Biology Experiments
The Scientific Method Scientists identify a problem or observe an event Then they look for solutions or explanations through research and experimentation By doing the experiments in this book you will learn to follow experimental steps and make observations You will also learn many scientific principles that have to do with biology In the process the things you see or learn may lead you to new questions For example suppose you have completed the experiment that models an insect’s compound eye Now you wonder whether the distance from an object affects how well a compound eye works That’s great All scientists are curious and ask new questions about what they learn When you design a new experiment it is a good idea to follow the scientific method 6 Janice VanCleave’s Crazy Kooky and Quirky Biology Experiments IntroduCtIon
1 Ask a question 2 Do some research about your question What do you already know 3 Come up with a hypothesis or a possible answer to your question 4 Design an experiment to test your hypothesis Make sure the experiment is repeatable 5 Collect the data and make observations 6 Analyze your results 7 Reach a conclusion Did your results support your hypothesis Many times the experiment leads to more questions and a new experiment Always remember that when devising your own science experiment have a knowledgeable adult review it with you before trying it out Ask him or her to supervise it as well 7 Introduction
Coated Purpose To demonstrate the effect that oil spills can have on birds Materials 2 small bowls tap water 3 tablespoons 45 ml oil two 2 to 3-inch 5 to 7 5 cm long feathers can be purchased at a crafts store NOTE Do not pick up bird feathers from the ground outdoors They can carry diseases Procedure 1 Fill the bowls three-fourths full with water 2 Pour the oil into one of the bowls 3 Gently lay one of the feathers on the surface of the water in the bowl without the oil 4 Lift the feather from the bowl and blow on it 5 Gently lay the second feather on the surface of the oil in the second bowl 6 Lift the feather from the bowl and blow on it Results The feather taken from the water appears dry and is light enough to be moved by your breath The feather taken from the oil appears wet and heavy It moves little or not at all when you blow on it Why Water does not stick to the feathers of birds very easily but oil does The oil-coated feather is very heavy and the fibers of the feather 8 Janice VanCleave’s Crazy Kooky and Quirky Biology Experiments
stick together This experiment demonstrates how oil from oil spills can mat the feathers of birds and make the birds too heavy to fly This makes the birds easy prey animal hunted for food to predators 9 Coated
