Writing a Scientific Lab Report

Lab Title

Dependent Variable VS. Independent Variable

Example:Color chosen by the mealworm most often VS.

colors presented to the mealworm

Statement of the Problem

• Do Mealworms see color?

Hypothesis

If (Independent Variable) then (Dependent Variable)!!

Example: If a mealworm is put on a paper surrounded by different colors (red, green, yellow, blue and black) it will crawl to black 80% of the time.

Data!!!!

• DATE AND TIME!

• Sketch and QUALITATIVE Observations!

Data TableColor chosen by the mealworm VS. colors presented

Red Green Yellow Blue Black

Worm #1 1 1 1

Worm #2 1 2

Worm #3 1 1 1

Worm #4 1 1 1

Worm #5 1 1 1

Totals 2 4 3 4 2

Conclusion

• 1st Paragraph – Restate Hypothesis and discuss if it was correct or not.– The original hypothesis stated that the mealworm

would crawl to black 80% of the time – The hypothesis was proven incorrect– A pattern was not established.

Conclusion

• 2nd Paragraph – Data Analysis– The experiment showed that mealworms do not

exhibit a preference for color.– Three trials were conducted with 5 different

mealworms.– The worms were placed in the middle of a paper made

up of different colors.– The worms all choose a different direction for each

trial.– Worm # 2 was the only one that went to the same

color more than one time.

Conclusion

• Unplanned Variables:– ANYTHING that went wrong during the lab!– Maybe when you put one of the worms in the

center of the paper it did not move!

Conclusion

• Similar Experiment:– Similar Experiment to this lab would be to test

other mealworm senses!– Make sure that you describe in detail how you

would conduct the extension!!

Conclusion

• Real Life Situation:– The results show that mealworms do not see

color.– Color is not important in a mealworms existence.– They live in a dark environment surrounded by

saw dust or wood chips.– They probably use other senses for navigating or

locating food.