Scientific Method: Paper Towel Absorbency

Summary

This activity can be used as an introduction to using the scientific method. It is relevant at all intermediate and high school levels( 6-12). Paper towels are used to introduce the basic steps of the scientific method and how it can be used to determine which type of paper towel is the most absorbent. Students will then use the scientific method to evaluate another property of the paper towel (e.g., strength, softness, etc).

Learning Goals

Learning skills: Students will learn how to use the scientific method to set up an experiment and record and interpret data..
Students will identify qualitative versus quantitative observations.
Students will identify variables and differences between independent, dependent, and control.

Vocabulary words: scientific method, absorbency, qualitative, quantitative, independent variable, dependent variable, control, hypothesis, purpose

Context for Use

This lab can be used at the beginning of the school year to reintroduce the scientific method and activate prior knowledge. This would also be a great experiment to incorporate into the sixth-grade properties of water unit to model capillary action.  This lab should take at least two 80 minute class periods. The first experiment is completed on day 1 and the second extension activity on day 2. Depending on the age group student should be comfortable completing a lab report. When conducting experiments in my collaborative SPED classes I request extra assistance or allow for an extra day.

Resource Type: Activities: Lab Activity
Grade Level: Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)

Description and Teaching Materials

This lab is easy to set up and uses basic materials. The premise is to determine which brand of paper towel is the most absorbent. The second day, if you choose to extend the activity, is to have the students then write out a scientific method to test a different component such as the strength of paper towel, ability to reuse paper towel etc. My students have come up with several different ideas and ways to do the testing.

The following lab report and grading rubric can be used if students need more structure. If students need extra help the lab directions below could be added to the attached lab report. Advanced students could write out the lab report in their composition notebooks or fill in the included blank copy of the lab.

Introduction: New! Improved! Brand X performs better than Brand Y. These are claims advertising uses to push their product ahead of another product. Is one product better than another? When a formula is changed is it better, more improved? How can we find out? The scientific method is a process used to test and evaluate. In today's lab, we are going to use the scientific method to determine which brand of paper towel is the most absorbent.

Problem: How much water will be soaked up with 1 piece of paper towel?

Hypothesis: If ______________________________________________, then ____________________________________________________________.

Materials: paper towel, stopwatch, water, graduated cylinder, tongs, ruler, scissors

Procedure: Part 1
1. Measure and cut out a 6 cm X 6 cm square of paper towel.
2. Place inside the pan.
3. Measure 10 mL of water in the graduated cylinder.
4. Pour the water on top of the paper towel inside the pan.
5. After 60 seconds (1 minute) pick up the paper towel using the tongs.
6. Let the water drip from the paper towel until the drops are 5 seconds apart.
7. Pour the excess water in the pan back into the graduated cylinder. Dry the pan out.
8. Write the amount of water absorbed in the data table (don't forget units).
9. Repeat with the other brands of paper towels.

Data Table

Paper Towel Water absorbed
Brand A
Brand B
Brand C

Questions:

1. What is the independent variable in this experiment?
2. What is the dependent variable in this experiment?
3. List 3 controls from the experiment.
4. Did you have any qualitative observations? If so, what were they?
5. Identify one quantitative observation and one qualitative observation you made in this experiment.

Qualitative:

Quantitative: 


Procedure:  Part 2 (This is the extension activity to be completed on Day 2)
1. Write up a problem/purpose to be tested and show to your teacher.
2. When your teacher approves the purpose write out your hypothesis.
3. Determine your materials and procedure.
4. The teacher accepts materials and procedures.
5. Begin testing following your procedure.
6. Clean up lab area.
7. Write 2 paragraphs indicating what you learned from your own experiment and in your own words what the scientific method is.

Teaching Notes and Tips

I always remind the students to dry out the pan in between each paper towel square so the 2nd and 3rd squares are not starting out wet. I have done this lab using three different types of one brand of paper towel which really surprises the students as to which is better. If you are doing this with older students have the cost of each roll and have them use that as part of their analysis. Some students will struggle with writing their procedure so chunk the parts of the lab and break it down into smaller manageable pieces. 

Assessment

I assess my students on their understanding of the parts of the method, the difference between independent and dependent variables, and the completion of the data table.

See the attached lab and grading rubric in the activity description. (Please edit to better fit your teaching style and student needs)

References and Resources

Remixed from the original source

https://serc.carleton.edu/sp/mnstep/activities/27393.html

Kathy Oellerich, East Ridge High School, Woodbury, MN
Based on activity from teachnet.com.