Guidelines for Writing up the Pond Experiment

Pond Experiment

Guidelines for writing up the pond experiment.

The lab report for each group needs to contain the following information:

1. Problem – write a statement about the problem we were trying to solve with this experiment 2. Hypothesis – write the hypothesis you were trying to test 3. Procedure – the actual procedure your group wrote and followed to conduct this experiment 4. Data – Create a data table that includes the turbidity and nitrate observations for your group’s pond. Also include the table of the whole class data. 5. Data analysis – Graph your group’s turbidity data. You will be given a graph of the class data with a line for each group. 6. Conclusions – Write at least 1 paragraph explaining how your data supports or disproves your hypothesis. Write another paragraph (at least) explaining what the class data means. Based on the class data, how does Nitrate affect algae growth? 7. Application – Using the resources suggested below as well as others you may find online, decide as a group what you want to use your pond for. Do you want to grow algae for biodiesel? Do you want to use the pond for fishing and recreation? Do you want to use the pond as a water source for livestock? Write up your group’s decision. Be sure to include how you need to manage nitrate levels to achieve your goals. The decision you make now for this stage of the project will be the choice that will be included in the final project.

This entire lab report should be typed!!!

You may hand draw data tables. Graph paper must be used for the graph. Suggested resources: 1. Check the farming subdivision folder on the website for 2 articles about the farming subdivision concept as it is currently used. 2. Information about algae as a source of biodiesel can be found at a. http://www.oilgae.com/ b. http://cleantechnica.com/2008/08/20/solazyme-hopes-to- mass-produce-algae-biodiesel-in-three-years/ c. http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Biodiesel_from_Algae _Oil d. http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/earth/4213775.htm l e. type in algae biodiesel into Google for more sites

3. Information about the effects of algae on fish a. http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/A-Bi/Algal-Blooms-in- Fresh-Water.html b. http://www.rabies.ncdhhs.gov/epi/oee/bluegreen.html c. http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3147/pdf/FS2006_3147.pdf d. type freshwater algae blooms into Google

4. Information on effects of nitrates on fish a. http://www.pondkoi.com/nitrogen.htm b. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward- island/story/2008/07/30/anoxic-rivers.html c. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20070705/ai _n19360517 d. http://www.state.ky.us/nrepc/water/wcpno.htm Grading Rubric Criteria Above and Did what we asked for Did not do A piece is Points Beyond 17 points everything we missing given 20 points asked for 0 points 12-14 points Lab Steps are clearly Steps are clearly The procedure written. All written. procedure is information about what Some information missing. you did is there. This is missing. procedure is the one you actually used. Data and Both your group and Some of the data Data is Data analysis the class data are is missing or missing or a included. The graphs incorrect. One of graph is are done well. the graphs is missing. incorrect. Conclusion The conclusion is The conclusion is A part of the clearly written and not clear or does conclusion includes information not rely on the is missing. about both your data data for evidence. and the class data. The conclusion refers to the data to back it up. Application The application clearly The application is The states what your group poorly written or application will use their pond for. does not include piece is The write up includes adequate missing or strategies to maintain information about no reference the appropriate nitrate maintaining is made to levels for the use you proper nitrate the research choose. Reference is levels. that you did made to the research to make you did. your decision.