1: We are: Lauren Farr, Tiffanie Douglas, Tameka Osabutey, and Tammy Reeves
APPLIED:
2: Unknown 1 is Chloride.
3: Unknown 2 is a mixture Iodine and Carbonate.
4: It is very detailed and organized. (Tammy could follow it, and she's not necessarily a science person).
Safety concerns are helpful and useful. Relating this to real life, such as an unknown compound, shows the relevance.
By throwing in the possibility of compounds, we knew to continue with the test after the first one. IF they were definitely only one compound, we could have identified them after the first test, and would likely have stopped there.
5: Within the Procedures section, another font could be used to make this more clear and highlight the differences. (ABC of Row 1, ABC of row 2) Or, perhaps show the row number first, since it is the part that is different in this section of the instructions.
\ Insert questions into the lab. For instance, "Why are we placing the white paper under the wellplate?"
We suggest inserting instructions for role swapping to make all students engaged fully.
It would be helpful to talk about the reactions and explain the reasons for why we can determine which are the unknown chemicals.
Explicit directions about how we're comparing the info on the data table and how that can be used to come to conclusions.
BASIC:
Research Question:
Why does the Georgia State Capitol have a gold dome?
Hypothesis:
It is our hypothesis that the designers chose the gold for its reflective properties. The glare coming off of the building is a deterrent for birds, thereby reducing the need to clean the top of the dome to elimate bird poop.
Sources:
1) It was 20 ounces of gold, valued at $30k, donated from people around the state.
(THIS does not support our hypothesis)
2) The gold was more durable than the original lead/tin alloy. Gold would last 30-40 years.
(THIS does not support our hypothesis)
3) Thomas Bradbury suggested to change to a harder, more durable surface. It was also decided because GA was the site of the first gold rush.
(THIS does not support our hypothesis)
4) The tin was deteriorating. To make it more attractive and durable, the state went with gold, which was donated from the people of Dahlonega.
(THIS does not support our hypothesis)
5) "The decision to use the state's own resources was meant to signal GA's independence and quality of its products."
(THIS does not support our hypothesis)
Our hypothesis was not supported by the articles. While the designers were not motivated by the bird-deterrence factor, I imagine they have since been pleasantly pleased with this unintented side-effect.