Torrance High School Honors Biology
Summer Assignment
Welcome to Honors Biology!! Congratulations on choosing a rigorous academic curriculum! I have high
expectations and hope that you are ready to learn!
The summer assignment is designed to introduce and/or review the procedures for conducting
research, the challenges of critical thinking, and the importance of scientific investigations.
As a scientist you question things that are going on around you and the best way to get an
answer is to design and conduct an experiment. As a scientist you also need to develop and
practice your skills of observation, analysis and communication. This assignment will provide
the opportunity for you to practice what a scientist does on the job. Additionally, this
experience will help you in future high school science classes as well as your college lab classes.
This assignment is not to be completed in one evening. In order to do a well on this assignment you will need to
start early and not procrastinate. Think of this as an English term paper combined with a Biology lab activity.
You need to complete sufficient background research before you can design your experiment. Then you need to
set enough time to conduct your experiment and run at least 3 trials. After your experiment is finished you then
need time to analyze your results so that you can communicate your findings.
Objectives:
1. Design and conduct your own controlled scientific experiment using all steps of the scientific method.
2. Collect, organize, and analyze both qualitative & quantitative scientific data
3. Formulate data-based conclusions
4. Present findings using a lab report format
Due Date: This assignment is due the first day of school. Late assignments will receive a 10% deduction.
Scientific Investigation Assignment:
Choose an experiment that you can conduct on your own at home this summer. It can be on any topic of your
choice. Make sure to choose a topic that you are interested in so that your experiment will be enjoyable. It
must be an experiment for which quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (observations) data is collected.
Additionally, you must collect both types of data for 3-4 weeks and include at least 3 trials. Your data should
be organized into a table(s) and subsequently formatted into a graph(s). Finally, you must analyze and interpret
your data to formulate conclusions. An original experiment should be conducted this summer and NOT re-used
from a previous class or competition.
After completing your investigation, you will create a poster to display your information. Finally, you must be
prepared to orally present a concise summary of your investigation (poster) to your peers on the first day of
school. Your oral presentation will be limited to 3 minutes and should include a brief description of your
question, data collected, and your overall findings.
Feel free to contact me via email at [email protected] if you have questions. Happy experimenting!
Ms. Badillo
Investigation Breakdown:
1. Question
 Create a testable question using the proper format “How does the (manipulated variable) affect
the (responding variable)?
 Example: How does listening to different genres of music affect the heart rate of
females between the ages of 12-16?
2. Hypothesis
 Write your hypothesis making an educated guess answering your above question.
 Use “If/Then” format  If (independent variable), then (dependent variable)
3. Materials
 You must include all materials/equipment used to complete the investigation
 Listed (bullet point form) in columns
 Include amounts and units for each item listed.
Example: (1) 250 ml beaker
4. Procedure
 Step-by-step instructions for conducting the investigation
 Written in past tense (you already conducted the experiment) & in numerical order
 Must be detailed such that someone else could repeat your experiment
 Include a list of constants (ex: time, length, size, temp. etc) & variables (dependent variable &
independent variable)
 You MUST conduct at least 3 trials of each variable tested.
5. Results
 TABLE: Show your results in the form of a chart or table. The table must:
a. Have an appropriate title that explains the information in the chart
b. Be clearly measurable and accurate, includes proper units
c. Show the Independent (manipulated) variables on left
d. Show the Dependent (responding) variables on top
e. Contains the averages for each test/trial
 GRAPH: Create a graph of your results. Your graph should only show the averages for your
data, NOT each trial. Be sure your graph includes the following:
a. Descriptive title
b. Labeled X and Y axes (X-axis = manipulated variable, Y-axis = responding variable)
c. Units of measurement are labeled
d. Key/legend for multiple sets of data
6. Discussion
 After carefully analyzing your data, state what you think the results (data) showed.
 Use the data (quantitative and/or qualitative) to support your statements.
 Never use personal pronouns such as “I” and “we.” “The music was played for 3 minutes”
instead of “I played the music for 3 minutes”.
 In paragraph form at least 6 complete sentences addressing the following:
a. Was hypothesis supported? Why or why not?
b. Identification of two sources of error
c. Explanation of how each previously identified source of error effected the data/results
d. How could this experiment be changed or improved upon?
Poster: You will report your findings in the form of a poster and a 3 minute oral presentation to your peers.
 Poster size: Foam Board 20 x 30 x 3/16in ---- OR---- mini tri-fold display board 36” by 24”
 Include all sections of the investigation (1-6); be sure to label each section
 Legible (large font size), free of grammatical errors
 Neat, well organized, in color
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION  SELF-CHECKLIST
Your poster must include the following:
_____Title of your Experiment
_____large enough to see
_____explains the project
_____ Problem
_____Testable question, in the following format “How does (manipulated variable) affect (responding variable)?
_____Hypothesis
_____If, then statement
_____Material List
_____list form (use bullet-points)
_____amounts & units included
_____Step-by-Step Procedure
_____In numerical order,
_____Detailed so that someone else could repeat your experiment
_____Has at least 3 trials for each variable
_____Results
_____Chart or Table
_____ Includes a title that describes what is being shown in the table
_____ Clearly measurable and accurate
_____ Independent variables are listed in the left column
_____ Dependent variables are listed on the top in rows
_____ Contains a column with the averages of your trials
_____Graph or Scientific Drawing
_____Includes a title that describes what is being shown in the graph
_____Y-axis is labeled, has correct units in parentheses
_____X-axis is labeled, has correct units in parentheses
_____Scale is in correct increments
_____Data takes up most of the space(not a lot of empty space)
_____Reports the correct information
_____ Includes a key only if there are multiple sets of data
_____Discussion
_____Written in paragraph form
_____Contains at least 6 complete sentences
_____Was hypothesis supported? Why or why not?
_____Identifies and explanations sources of error
_____How could this experiment be changed or improved upon?
_____Neatness
_____Poster is legible (easy to read)
_____Well organized in a logical manner
_____Large font
_____Nice overall appearance (no tape, erasure marks, etc.)
_____Each sentence is clear and has correct spelling
_____Capitalization and punctuation are correct
Name ______________________________________ Date________________________Period _________
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION SUMMER ASSIGNMENT
POSTER REQUIREMENT


Title of your Investigation
o Large enough to see (2)
o Explains experiment (3)
POINTS
5
4
3
2
1
0
Question
o Testable question in the proper format (5)
“How does the (manipulated variable) affect the
(responding variable)?
5
4
3
2
1
0

Hypothesis
o If, then format (5)
5
4
3
2
1
0

Materials
o List format (use bullet-points) (2)
o Includes units & amounts for each item listed (3)



5
4
3
2
1
0
Procedure
o In numerical order, detailed so that someone else
could repeat your experiment (3)
o Has at least 3 trials for each test (2)
5
4
3
2
1
0
Results: Chart/Table
o
Clearly measurable and accurate, includes
proper units (2)
o
Independent variables on left (1)
o
Dependent variables on top (1)
o
Contains the averages for each test (1)
5
4
3
2
1
0
Results: Graph or Scientific Drawing
o Includes a title (1)
o X-axis is labeled, y-axis is labeled, including units
of measurement (ex: cm, inches, liters, lbs,
seconds, minutes, etc.) (2)
o Scale in correct increments (1)
o Includes a key for multiple sets of data (1)
5
4
3
2
1
0



Discussion
o In paragraph form, at least 6 sentences (2)

Was hypothesis supported? Why or why
not? (2)

Identifies of any sources of error (2)

Explanations how errors affected
data/results (2)

How could this experiment be changed
or improved upon? (2)
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Neatness
o Poster is legible (easy to read, large) (1)
o Well organized in a logical manner (1)
5
o Nice overall appearance (no tape, no glue, erasure
marks, etc.) (1)
o Correct use of grammar and spelling (2)
4
3
2
1
0
Presentation
o Presenter speaks loudly and clearly (2)
o Presenter speaks at a good pace (2)
o Presenter remains within 3 minute MAX time (2)
o Presenter speaks to the class, not with back turned,
makes eye contact with peers/teacher (4)
TOTAL
10
5
9
4
8
3
7
2
6
1
_______________/60
0