SCIENCE

Extended Experimental Investigation

Name: ___________________________ Teacher: _________________________
UNIT SUMMARY
Unit Focus
Changes to object motion is caused by unbalanced forces acting on the subject.
Conducting scientific investigations (Fair testing)

TASK
You are required to:
Understand the science concepts related to the chosen topic.
Design and carry out an investigation in groups of 3 to 4. Two long lab sessions will be provided.
Use the findings from your investigation to write a scientific report. All sections of the scientific report must be
completed either in class or at home.

CONDITIONS
Task Type:

Extended Experimental Investigation (EEI)

Time Allowed:

Genre:

Scientific Report

Date Set:

4 weeks

FINAL TASK DUE DATE:

ASSESSABLE ELEMENTS
Science Understanding
Science Inquiry Skills

TEACHER FEEDBACK
Achievements

Improvements Needed

Teacher Signature:
STUDENT REFLECTION ON FEEDBACK (Note: Refer to the criteria, dont simply restate the teacher comments)

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YEAR 8 SCIENTIFIC REPORT CRITERIA SHEET- ROTOCOPTER

Science understanding

Planning and conducting

Science Inquiry Skills

Processing and analysing

data and information

Evaluating

Communicating
Communicates ideas , findings
and solutions to problems using
scientific language and
representations through

A
Student demonstrates a
comprehensive understanding of how
a change to an objects motion is
caused by unbalanced forces acting
on the subject.

Decides which variable should

be changed

Measure and controls variables

accurately measures and
records data to represent and
describe observations

Use equipment and materials

safely, identifying potential risks

Constructs and uses a range of

data representations

Analyses patterns

Summarises data from first and

secondary sources to draw
conclusions

Reflects on method used to

investigate a question/solve a
problem

Evaluates the quality of data

Identifies improvements to the

method

Data tables drawn neatly with

headings and units.

Scientific terminology used

appropriately and accurately.

Use of past tense third person.

Correct spelling, punctuation

and sentence structure.

Correct paragraphing and use

of topic sentences

B
Student demonstrates a thorough
understanding of how a change to
an objects motion is caused by
unbalanced forces acting on the
subject.

Decides which variable should

be changed,

Measure and controls

variables accurately measures
and records data to represent
and describe observations

C
Student demonstrates a satisfactory
understanding of how a change to
an objects motion is caused by
unbalanced forces acting on the
subject.

Decides which variable should

be changed

Measures and records data

D
Student demonstrates variable
knowledge of how a change to
an objects motion is caused by
unbalanced forces acting on the
subject.

Identifies variables
Attempts to measure and record
data are evident

E
Student demonstrates a limited
knowledge of how a change to an
objects motion is caused by
unbalanced forces acting on the
subject.

Follows procedures
Little evidence of data collection

Represents a range of data

Analyses patterns
Summarises data from own
data

Presents of data
Description of observations
present

Evidence of data collection

No evidence of data
collection

Suggests improvements to the

method
Evaluates the quality of data

Suggests improvements to the

method

Data tables drawn with

heading and units.
Good use of scientific
terminology.
Use of past tense third person.
Mostly correct spelling
punctuation and sentence
structure.
Attempt at topic sentences.

Recording of data in data

tables.
Use of scientific terminology.
Use of past tense third person
with minor errors.

Some information in data

tables. Results may not be
in tables. Units or heading
maybe missing..
Problems in using scientific
terminology.
Use of past tense third
person with minor errors.

Makes a statement about the

results.
Information lacks clarity.
Little evidence of use of
scientific terminology.

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Click here to enter text.

Name: Click here to enter text.

Clan: Click here to enter text.
Partner: Click here to enter text.
Teacher: Click here to enter text.

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Introduction
Helicopter manufacturers are always trying to improve the design of helicopters to ensure that if a
malfunction occurs and the helicopter is about to crash, the helicopter will not fall too quickly. One
way to do this is to increase the amount of time the helicopter remains in the air.
Helicopters need to be constructed so that so that they can remain in the air as long as possible in
case an accident was to occur. The forces pulling the helicopter down must be overcome to
launch the helicopter and keep it in the air.

(You must complete the Research Note Template. Use the information from these tables to write a
paragraph here to explain the forces that have to be overcome to (i) launch a helicopter and
(ii)keep it airborne. Remember to use scientific terminology and explain all forces.)
Click here to enter text.

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Variables that will influence the flight time of a helicopter are the length of the blades, blade width
and total mass.
In this extended experimental investigation, a rotor-copter will be made from paper to simulate
helicopter flight. One variable (blade length) will be tested. To ensure that the experiment is a fair
test, three trials for each blade length will be performed and average of the flight times recorded.
More than one rotocopter may need to be constructed.
The results of the experiment will be displayed in tables and line graphs. The results may influence
helicopter designers in the future.
Aim: (this is a description of what you are trying to achieve. Start with the word To)
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Hypothesis: (this is the aim written as a statement. If then..)
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Risks: (Any possible hazards encountered during the experiment and specific ways to reduce the
risk. Use a table with the following headings)
Hazard
(e.g. Hot water)
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text.
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text.
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text.
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text.
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text.

Risk
(e.g. Burns to skin)

Safety Measures
(e.g. Take care when handling hot liquids)

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Materials: (a list of equipment used during the experiment has been started for you. Add to it.)

Cardboard
Scissors
Ruler
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Method: The steps carried out during the experiment.

Part A: Making the Roto-copter: Part A has been done for you
1.
2.
3.
4.

The rotor-copter was cut along the solid lines and folded along the dotted lines.
Section A was folded in the opposite direction to section B.
Section C and D were folded over each other.
The bottom section of CD was folded upwards and secured with a paper clip.

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Part B: Flying the Roto-copter: Part B requires you to unscramble the sentences/complete the
sentences to make the method.
1. The rotor-copter was launched from Click here to enter text.
2. Click here to enter text.
(The when stopwatch rotor-copter was started the launched was)
3. Click here to enter text.
(ground The was when the rotor-copter stopped touched the stopwatch)
4. Click here to enter text.
(were accurate were until three Steps 1-3 times recorded repeated)
Part C: Changing the blade length: Part C needs to be done completely by you. The sentences
must be written in past tense and third person. All verbs used must be past tense. Dont use
personal pronouns such as I, we, they etc. Each step must be numbered.)
1.
2.
3.
4.

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Results: (use the table to record the data collected during the experiment. Repeat each trial 3
times and average the results. Draw a line graph of the results for the average flight time versus
blade length. Put time on the Y axis and length on the X axis. Your teacher will show you how to
use a graphing program on the computer.)
Table 1: Flight time of rotor-copter for different blade lengths
Blade Length
(cm)
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

Trial 1

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Flight Time of Roto-copter (s)

Trial 2
Trial 3

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Average

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Graph (Graph the results of average time versus blade length using the excel computer program.
Remember to label the axes and add a title)

Discussion:
Some of the discussion sentences have been started for you. Each paragraph explains what is
required in that section. You need to complete each paragraph by using your results and thoughts
about the experiment. Remember to use third person in your writing. Give scientific information in
the explanations. You may need extra research to complete the paragraphs.
Paragraph 1: restate the aim of the experiment (purpose), including background details and a
summary of the method.
This experiment investigated the relationship between the length of Click here to enter text. and
the time taken Click here to enter text.. A rotor-copter was made and launched from Click here to
enter text. and used to simulate the effect of a helicopter falling. The flight time was measured
using a stopwatch which was started Click here to enter text. and stopped when Click here to enter
text.. It was hypothesised that Click here to enter text..
Paragraph 2: summarise and explain the results using technical vocabulary. Compare the
results to the hypothesis.
The results of the experiment are displayed in Table 1 and Graph 1. The longest average flight
time was Click here to enter text. when the blade length was Click here to enter text.. The shortest
average flight time was Click here to enter text. when the blade length was Click here to enter text..
The trend shown in the graph is that as the blade length increases Click here to enter text.. This
result can be explained because Click here to enter text..
Paragraph 3: discuss the errors that occurred during the experimental process.
These results can be considered reliable because Click here to enter text.. Errors that occurred
during the experiment were Click here to enter text.. These did/did not affect the results because
Click here to enter text..
Paragraph 4: suggest any possible ways to improve your method.
A better way of performing this experiment would be to Click here to enter text.. This would
provide better results because Click here to enter text..
Paragraph 5: A paragraph discussing the real -life application of your results
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A helicopter designer should use this information to design helicopters that stay in the air
longer by Click here to enter text..
Conclusion:
(One or two sentences, stating the aim/hypotheses was correct or incorrect.)
Click here to enter text.

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RESEARCH NOTE TEMPLATE ROTOCOPTER EEI

FOCUS QUESTION What is aerodynamics?
Web Address http://www.ehow.com/list_7488052_principles-helicopter-flight.html
NOTES (bullet points , in your own words)

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FOCUS QUESTION What are the four forces acting on a helicopter?

CITATION (Harvard) http://www.ehow.com/list_7488052_principles-helicopter-flight.html
NOTES (bullet points , in your own words)

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FOCUS QUESTION What is a definition for these four forces?

CITATION (Harvard) http://www.ehow.com/list_7488052_principles-helicopter-flight.html
NOTES (bullet points , in your own words)

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FOCUS QUESTION How does the shape of the rotor blade cause lift?
Web Address http://www.ehow.com/list_7488052_principles-helicopter-flight.html
NOTES (bullet points , in your own words)

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STUDENT CHECKLIST FOR EXTENDED EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION (EEI) REPORT

Instructions: The following checklist is designed for you to examine your EEI and identify areas for
improvement. To use it correctly you should read through your report and anything that is correct and place
a tick and anything that needs more work place a cross in the box. Once this is complete you need to use the
list to determine how you can improve your report.
TITLE PAGE (Communication)
Title

Does the title tell the reader what was done in the experiment?

Author

Is your name and clan, and group members recorded?

Diagram

Is there a picture that informs the reader what the report is about?

INTRODUCTION (Knowledge and Understanding; Communication)

Aim

Have you explained the purpose of the investigation?

Have you used the information you researched from the focus questions to give
the scientific information about your topic?

Have you written your hypothesis?

Have you written a summary about what you did in the experiment?

Have you identified the variables? Dependent (what was changed),

Independent (what was measured) and Controlled (what you kept the same)

Background
Hypothesis
Experimental
design
Variables

MATERIALS AND METHOD (Investigating and Reflecting; Communication)

Have you written a list of all of the equipment you have used for your
experiment?

Have you written your method in 3 person and past tense?

Have you written the method as a list of steps in complete sentences?

Do your steps start with a noun and have an appropriate quantifier/qualifier?

Have you included a labelled 2D diagram of your experimental setup?

Does your explanation give enough detail to allow someone to perform the
experiment exactly as you have?

Have you identified all hazards, risks and safety measures needed for your
experiment in the form of a table?

Materials

rd

Method

Risk
Assessment

RESULTS (Investigating and Reflecting; Communication)

Data Tables

Does your data table have a title and a number? e.g. Table 1 .

Do all columns and rows have headings?

Do all columns and rows have units of measurement (where required)?

Is your data table on one page only?

Have you recorded your observation in point form in a table?

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Graphs

Diagrams and
Photographs

Have you used the correct type of graph? (bar or line graph)

Do you have a title and number for the graph? e.g. Graph 1

Is the Independent variable on the horizontal axis?

Is the Dependent variable on the vertical axis?

Have you labelled both axis including units of measurement?

Are the points plotted in the correct place?

Do you have a legend?

Have you used the correct scale?

Is there a line of best fit (if appropriate)?

Are all diagrams and photographs clearly labelled?

DISCUSSION (Knowledge and Understanding, Investigating and Reflecting; Communication)

Does your discussion have the purpose of the experiment?

Does your discussion have a summary of background information?

Does your discussion have a brief summary of your method?

Does your discussion have a summary of results?

Does your discussion have an explanation of results?

Does your discussion have the errors identified?

Does your discussion have improvements?

Does your discussion have the real life applications of knowledge from the
experiment?

Do your paragraphs have topic sentences?

Structure

CONCLUSION (Investigating and Reflecting; Communication)

Structure

Have you restated the hypothesis?

Do the results support the hypothesis and an explanation of why/why not?

OVERALL REPORT (Communication)

Structure

Language
Features

Font

Do you have all of the parts of the scientific report?

Have you proofread your work to check for spelling, grammar and punctuation
errors?

Have you edited your work to check that it makes sense?

Have you used size 12 font?

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