1. INTRO TO ENVIRONMENTAL
Understanding Experimental Design LAB – AssignmentOVERVIEWScientists conduct
experiments in order to understand how the natural world works. Virtually all of the
science you learn in this and your other science classes was discovered and verified by
repeated experiments. Designing and running a good experiment is challenging, time-
consuming, and expensive. What makes experiments worthwhile, indeed critical, is that
they are the most powerful tool we have for establishing cause-and-effect relationships.
Educated citizens need to understand how scientific investigations are done and how
results and conclusions are reported in order to make informed decisions. This lab will
introduce you to the principles of good experimental design. Because these principles are
best learned by carrying out an actual experiment, your challenge will be to design, conduct,
and interpret your own experiment.BE ORIGINAL! Remember to use your own words and
do not copy verbatim from any online, previous or current student source. By submitting
this assignment, you are agreeing to the following statement: “I understand that my paper
will be checked against multiple sources for original content. A report will be generated that
shows if content in this paper matches content in documents available on the Internet, in
many print journals, and a database of other papers submitted by students. If submitted to
the instructor, my paper will be added to the student database for comparison of future OSU
papers against it. I maintain ownership of the original intellectual property created in this
paper. I understand that results of this report may be used by the University in student
conduct proceedings related to academic dishonesty (See Canvas Start Here module for
more information)” Turnitin generates a report that highlights any potentially unoriginal
text in your paper, including text from previous students’ or current students’
submissions.ASSIGNMENTSection 1 Reflection (2 pts)Take the opportunity to reflect back
on last week’s work. Please use complete sentences!a) Identify one thing you did well. Be
specific and use an example.I had less driving time last week, and more time I chose to
carpool or use public transportation, and in China we use a software called Didi to complete
carpool trips, which not only cut down on travel costs. It can also effectively reduce carbon
emissions per capita.b) Identify one thing you could improve upon. Be specific and use an
example.I think instead of taking public transport or carpooling, I should choose to walk or
ride a bike, so I can exercise on the one hand, and reduce individual carbon emissions on the
other. In many cities in China, we have public bike for just $1 a month and you can ride
unlimited times, and you can find it anywhere at any time and also same as park it.c) Find
and copy a grader’s comment on your work here. Not sure where to look? See the
2. ‘submission comments’ on your assignment, or email and ask!Type answer hered) Respond
to the grader (Who will read this! This is your opportunity to connect!). You could state how
you could have done better, did you need to double check a value, ask a question, look
something up, put something in your own words?Type answer hereSection 2 What Makes a
Good Experiment (5 pts)Section 1 of the lab is an interactive tutorial that introduces the
components of a good experiment. Section 1 warms you up with 17 low-stakes, coached
questions. This section will be completed entirely within SimUText and you will get credit
simply for completing it.Note, you must get these questions correct to get credit! This means
clicking through AND correcting your mistakes when prompted by the program. This
section is meant to prime you for creating your own experiments in Section 2!Section 3 Part
1: Save the Simploids! (10 pts)Section 2 of the lab helps you practice in SimUText and
receive feedback as you design experiments, generate quality scientific data, and state
conclusions of what is sickening the Simploids. I have provided a table in this document for
you to keep track of your experiments and results for your summary report in Section 2
Part 2. 10 pts for answering the questions in SimUText AND completing the tables.· Work
through the warmup questions Q2.1-Q2.3. Then select a hypothesis to test with your first
experiment.· Design and carry out a minimum of TWO experiments to address the problem
of the sick Simploids. Based the data from each experiment, answer the questions in
SimUText, including stating your scientific conclusion of what is causing the Simploids to
sicken.· Fill in the tables below as you work through SimUText experiments (note that the
table does not ask exactly the same things as the tutorial – pay careful attention in order to
answer correctly). This will help you organize your summary report that you submit in
Section 3 of the lab.Experiment 1
