Mousetrap Car Lab Write-Up

and Sketches Requirements Tahoma Jr. High8th Grade ScienceMaple Valley, WA

This is a detailed, specific version of the Lab Write-up Rubric you have

used for previous lab write-ups and has info

on how to do the sketches.

Carefully follow the suggestions in thisPowerPoint to get the full points

available.

First of all – as usual – ALL 8th Science work MUST BE HANDWRITTEN

(to show it’s original work and gives practice for tests, etc.)

ONLY STEPS 1 through 3 aredue on Race Day

ALSO – don’t even think about “recycling” an olderbrother/sister’s car.

BUT… you can recycle the PARTS if you want to.

we take pictures in all classes and sharethem around, so we are quite familiar with

cars used the last few years or more

We’ve got our eye on you!

Step 1: Question (Problem) In the form of a question ?

This has been given to you on the Mousetrap Car Individual Project handout – copy it.

Step 2: Hypothesis (Prediction)“If …., then …., because…” format ?

“If (what you change – Manipulated

Variable - on your car to make it go a

longer distance), then (what result -

Responding Variable - do you expect

to happen to the distance the car

travels), because (science reason why

the modification is going to make your

car travel a different distance). ”THERE ARE ONLY THREE POSSIBLE MANIPULATED VARIABLES:1. change length of lever arm2. change size of DRIVE wheel3. change size of DRIVE axle

Step 3: ExperimentIs there a Materials List ?

Your list should include all the items required to

do the experiment, including the materials tomake your car (materials should also be

listed/labeled on your sketches so you can build the car from the sketches alone).

Most importantly you need to include whateverinstrument is going to be used to measure theResponding Variable (e.g. Tape Measure)(we will provide the Tape Measure in class).

Step 3: Experiment (continued)

Is there a Variables List (three)? You need to list out the three types ofvariable and identify them:

“The Manipulated Variable is…”

“The Responding Variable is…”

“One Controlled Variable is…” (at least ONE GOOD ONE – but add a couple more to be sure)

Step 3: Experiment (continued)

Is there a numbered set of instructionsthat make logical sense ?

* To make it easy, #1 WILL simply say:

1. Build mousetrap car according to sketches

After that, you will explain how to do the experiment very clearly (it should only take a few steps or so)

Step 3: Experiment (continued)

Is the whole experiment repeated ? Have you set up the experiment to

have multiple trials (or at least made a step that says “Repeat Whole Experiment at least two more times.”) ?

* Be very careful when saying “repeat steps…” that they actually are repeating the whole experiment.

UP TO HERE – STEP 3 - IS ALL YOU NEED TO BRING ON RACE DAY TO SHOW YOU ARE READY TO RACE AND COLLECT DATA.

Bring your car on race dayAND the Write-Up

(which should be complete through Step 3)

DURING RACING COLLECT YOUR DATA IN AN ORGANIZED WAY AND USE IT WHEN YOU WRITE STEPS 4 and 5 TO COMPLETE

THE LAB WRITE-UP FOR HOMEWORK.

Step 4: DataIn a Table format ?Manipulated Variable Labeled in Table ?Responding Variable Labeled in Table ?

You will collect the data for this Step on race day (for homework that night you make the table).

Step 5: Conclusion- Did you Copy the Hypothesis so you canrespond to it ?- Is a Before Change Average and After

Change Average listed?- Did you calculate the Difference between

the two Averages and Explain how that difference proves your Hypothesis correct or not?

- Evaluation/Critique of experiment done ?- As there a new related question to investigate ?

Write a proper Conclusion to your experiment following the items above. The last two are required by the District – but not on state tests.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR THEDESIGN SKETCHES and FINAL PACKAGE:

(basically, so someone could build it by the sketch alone)

three views for the 3-Dimensions(front, top and side)

Metric measurements are required(American in parentheses)

Materials used are identified (“CDs for wheels”, etc.) Total size (folded OK) same as paper: 8 ½ x 11

Sketches are stapled to Lab Write-Up when turned in Name, Due Date and Period on ALL papers

No plastic covers, binders, etc.

Example sketches on next three slides

NOT NEARLY GOOD ENOUGH:1) no dimensions in metric (American)2) Materials List incomplete

NICE AND NEAT (too neat, done by an ADULT!!)1) no dimensions in metric2) materials are not listed, but OK in drawing

(we need to know how to build the car from the sketches alone)

WE’RE NOT LOOKING FOR FANCY – JUST COMPLETE – HERE’S ONE VIEW (do Front and Top like this as well)

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, FIRST RE-READ THE INSTRUCTION

SHEET CAREFULLY!

AFTER THAT YOU CAN ASK RELIABLE FRIENDS… OR FINALLY YOUR TEACHER.

REMEMBER, TEST YOUR CAR AHEAD OF TIME TO MAKE SURE IT WORKS AND YOU CAN

MAKE THE MODIFICATION WITHIN20 MINUTES – AND… BRING YOUR WRITE-

UP STEPS 1-3 TO RACE DAY !!

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