#ScientificMethod, #CreativeThinkingCc, #PersonalSocialCc
September 25,2023/ Maia:)
The construction of the golf ball tower and ball launcher helped my understanding of the process of the scientific method, by having a real-life experience. I understood the importance of completing each step with detail and effort if I wanted to succeed in my experiments.
The first step of the scientific method is to identify a problem, in both of our cases we had to build a structure that will meet the expectation. In the golf ball challenge, he had to construct a tower that was free standing, that would hold the ball at the top, and it needed to the taller as possible. At the ball launcher challenge, our job was to create a device able to launch a ball the further as possible. Once with identified our expectations, we moved to the second step of the scientific method, which is to create a hypothesis.
A hypothesis must have an if and then statement. During these two challenges, I practice creating a hypothesis. I learned it is important to think analytically about what I write in my hypothesis. Because of it, I would put my effort or attention into certain parts of my project, that I wrote would make it succeed. The third step in the scientific method is to design an experiment that will test my hypothesis. Here I put my hypothesis on test. What I wrote in it will be from where I base my plans and designs to test it. For example, on my ball launcher challenge my hypothesis was “If we can find the right angle for the launcher and tie enough of our elastic band to our pencil then we may be able to throw the ball far away”. On the testing day, we followed our hypothesis and made minor changes, according to it, and it helped us a lot.
On the other hand, I learned that the more investigation and the more detail that describes the design the better. On the golf ball tower, I did not do much investigation, or I did not plan the design step by step, and what happened is that we could have gotten much better results, or we would have been much more organized. But at the ball launcher challenge, I investigated more and made a much deeper plan. That is one of the reasons we had a better result in our second challenge.
I learned a lot about problem-solving. While testing or constructing our projects, we found lots of problems or defects along the way. We ran out of paper, or the launcher moved in a way that was not helpful. In the paper tower challenge, I proposed we unfold one of the baskets, so we could use it paper to make another cylinder, which helped us gain a few centimeters more. For the ball launcher, we added pieces of tape from different spots that will help us to keep it in a better place.
The fourth step of the scientific method is performing the experiment and recording data. When experimenting, you will thank yourself for making such a neat plan. In that moment you realize it is necessary. But recording data was hard because at that moment you are only focusing on getting it done or improving something or too excited because it is working. I forget easily that I need to take pictures or write notes. That is something I want to work on and improve.
The last step is the conclusion. Here we gather all our data, ideas, discoveries, new concepts, failures, and successes and we write about our lab. We answer the purpose of it, and if it was supported or unsupported. I found in both of our labs a comfortable feeling at writing the conclusion, like signing an important document. The conclusion is what I take from my work, it is what I will remember and believe in. It holds the final statement, and it will answer why we did what we did.
In conclusion, these two experiences helped me to understand the scientific method in a fun way I will not forget it, comprehending why there are those 5 steps and the importance of each one.
The scientific method lab, I am the proudest of, is the ball launcher one. This is because my group and I worked hard together on it. We designed a distinctive design, and we investigated different ideas. At the time of building, we each collaborated and added our own opinions and strengths. I am aware that there is lots of room for improvement. But that is one of the reasons I chose to write it here. When we were done, my group and I were talking about ways we could have made it better, and about the things that went well. We were ready to learn from that experience.
During the lab, we faced lots of challenges. One of the problems we faced was that our device was not attached efficiently, because of it, it was always falling if someone was not holding it. We tried to tape it or to make holes in the base so it would stay there. But because of the force we used to launch the ball, it would not stay in its position. We also had to adjust to the time limit. We did not have much time together to plan, so it was important that everybody was responsible and did their part on their own. This is a notable example of teamwork. We also found it hard to complete the fourth step of the scientific method, recording data. Sometimes what happened was that we launched the ball, and nobody was filming. It was frustrating because we could not beat our record, but we learned from our mistakes. After that we started to communicate more, so we would not miss anything more.
I demonstrated that I can create new things when I proposed to use a paper triangle as the holder for the ball. This was a great idea because from there the ball never fell. It also provided a smooth surface that helped the ball fly, without having to fight much friction. Another advantage of this original idea is that the paper did not cost much, and it was lightweight.
I demonstrated that I can build on the ideas of others when I worked and helped improve my teammate’s idea for the ball launcher design. We took some time to produce some ideas, and we shared them. We decided to choose one and alter it in the ways we needed them to. With my partner, we combined our ideas and we each did a diagram of our own. I did my on paper, and he did his on the computer.
When trying new things, I expect setbacks and failures and I use them to develop my ideas. An example of this from the scientific method labs would be on the ball tower challenge, my teammate and I were having a tough time keeping the ball at the top. After a few times, of the ball falling to the ground, I had the idea of flipping one of the baskets, so the ball would get a better hold. This was an excellent idea that made the job of placing the ball at the top much easier.
