M4 Biology Summer Assignment

The Scientific Process

Due Date: beginning of class on April 22

1. Do this activity on the scientific method: Complete the What is the Scientific Method? Activity: http://sunshine.chpc.utah.edu/labs/scientific_method/sci_method_main.html Print and complete the hypothesis worksheet at the end of the activity.

2. Watch each of the following 5 videos on the science fair projects. You will be creating one of your own during your week-long summer Biology course: Components of science of a fair project: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/videos/playVideo.cfm?videoID=38 Ask a testable question: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/videos/playVideo.cfm?videoID=40 Design and conduct your experiment: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/videos/playVideo.cfm?videoID=41 Examine your results: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/videos/playVideo.cfm?videoID=42\ Communicate your results: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/videos/playVideo.cfm?videoID=43 *be prepared for a quiz on the scientific method on the first day of class

3. Think of 3 Biology-related science project ideas and write them down on a sheet of A4 paper. Once summer classes start, I will help you pick one and you will perform an experiment based on that idea. Project suggestions are listed on the following page. Please take into account that you only have one week to complete all parts of your experiment.

Here is a list of ideas for your biology experiment. Please take into account that you only have one week to complete all parts of the experiment. Plan accordingly. Do NOT hurt any animals or people in the process of conducting your experiment. Experiment ideas:
Biological Project Ideas: Fish Project Ideas: Does music affect fish activity? Does the amount of light affect fish activity? Does a person's BMI affect blood pressure? Do all people have the same normal body temperature? Which type of exercises increase muscle growth the most? How do various types of acid (phosphoric acid, citric acid, etc.) affect tooth enamel? Does a person's heart rate and blood pressure vary during the day? Does exercise affect lung capacity? Does blood vessel elasticity affect blood pressure? Is calcium necessary for bone strength? Does light intensity affect peripheral vision? Does eye color affect a person's ability to distinguish colors? Do different stressors (heat, cold, etc) affect nerve sensitivity? Do food smells affect saliva production?

Insect Project Ideas: What substances do mosquitoes find attractive or repellant?

Mammal Project Ideas: Which of the five senses has the greatest effect on short term memory? Does animal saliva have antimicrobial properties? Does your sense of smell alter your sense of taste? Which sense (taste, smell, touch) is best for identifying foods? Does music affect hand-eye coordination? Does the weather affect a person's mood? Does playing video games affect a person's heart rate? Do colors affect a person's mood? Does gender affect reaction time? Is yawning contagious? Does smiling affect a person's mood? Does human behavior change during a full moon? Does room temperature affect concentration? Does sight affect the ability to determine sound direction? How does caffeine affect the body? Does exercise affect memory retention? Does fear affect blood pressure or pulse? Does music affect blood pressure or pulse?