Gold Seal Lesson:
Secret In The Wooden Blocks

Copernicus Education Gateway

Subject:

Science

Grade:

9-12

ICLE Standards:

Physical Science: Develop an understanding of the structure and properties of matter.

Measurement: Make and use measurements to describe and compare phenomena.

Functions: Represent and analyze relationships using tables, verbal rules, equations and graphs.

Performance Task:

For this task you are to work in groups of four or five students. You have a set of wooden blocks of various sizes labeled from 1 to 25. Some of the blocks are made of pine; the others are oak. Your task is to use the concept of density to identify which blocks are made of pine and which are made of oak. Measure the length, width and height of each block in metric units. Using a triple-beam balance, find the mass of each block. Construct a data table which includes the block number, length, width, height and mass. Include three additional columns for volume, density, and type of wood. Make the data entries for length, width, height and mass. Using the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism, compute the volume of each block and enter it into your table. Make graphs that show the relationship between the volume and the mass of the blocks. Explain why your graphs are two straight lines rather than just one.

Now, using the definition for density of an object, find the density of each block and enter it in your data table. Make graphs that show density as a function of volume. Describe and give an explanation of your graphs. Identify each of your blocks as pine or oak and enter the type of wood in your data table.

Write a conclusion that can be drawn from having done this task.

Knowledge / Skills:

Exhibit good data management skills by collecting, organizing, and graphing data.  (s19)

Understand the characteristics of density and how it varies in materials with the change of temperature, pressure, and phase (gas, liquid, solid).  (s22)

Measure properties of the environment using dimensional quantities such as time, length, mass, pressure, volume, acceleration, etc. Compare quantities and consider the error involved with measuring environmental properties.  (s23)

Perform operations with signed (positive and negative) numbers, including decimals, ratios, percents, and fractions.  (m1)

Compute the volume of three-dimensional figures (solids).  (m17)

Understand the properties and classification of quadrilaterals by orientation (e.g., parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, square, and trapezoid).  (m27)

Use expository writing skills in subjects other than English language arts.  (ela58)

Rubric:

4 Points  =  Students complete entire task with correctly labeled data table and graphs. Data table is neat and well organized. Calculations are correct. Students demonstrate a full understanding of the relationship between volume, density, and mass. They make a well-stated conclusion drawn from their work. 

3 Points  =  Students need some help to complete the task. They construct the data table and graphs, but they are not made with care, resulting in some minor inaccuracies. A few errors are made in their calculations. Students need some help in understanding the relationship between volume, density, and mass. They make a conclusion from their work, but have difficulty expressing it in writing.

2 Points  =  Students need considerable help in performing the task. They do not make measurements for all 25 blocks. Hence, their data table and graphs are incomplete. They had difficulty with the formula for finding volume. Several errors are made in their calculations. The students needed extensive assistance to find the density of the blocks. They show little understanding of the relationship between volume, density, and mass. They demonstrate an inability to do any substantial analysis of the data. No meaningful conclusion is reached and they are unable to identify the substances based on density.

1 Point  =  The students needs extensive help in performing the task. They make measurements with only 10 blocks or less. Data tables are very incomplete and show little understanding of the activity. Several errors in measurement and in calculations occur. Graphs are lacking or incomplete. Students are unable to find density and see little, if any, relationships among the quantities. Consequently, they are unable to identify the type of wood based on density. No conclusion is stated.

Keywords:

PHYSICS
MATTER
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
MEASUREMENT
DATA COLLECTION
DATA DISPLAY

CHEMISTRY
LAB EXPERIMENTS                 
EARTH SCIENCE
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY

Grades:

Kg [] - 1 [] - 2 [] - 3 [] - 4 [] - 5 [] - 6 [] - 7 [] - 8 [] - 9 [X] - 10 [X] - 11 [X] - 12 [X]

ICLE Application:

D

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