Lesson Plan:

 

The Introduction should be done individually, but class discussions are encouraged.

 

The Design a Lab Assignment are best done groups of 2-3. They should understand that collaboration is a key exercise to the Scientific Method. Give the students 2-3 classes to work on this project. Due date is one week from assigned date.

 

This activity provides a problem based learning opportunity that is relevant to their lives. Students will see how much time is spent indoors and the issues that are linked to indoor air quality. They will also see that the possible remedies are cost efficient and esthetically pleasing. This activity will give the students better understanding of what it takes to design a lab that has repeatibility while proving that house plants can clean indoor air pollution as they do with outdoor air pollution.

 

Alberta Program of Study Links:

 

Skill Outcomes (focus on scientific inquiry) 
 
Initiating and Planning 
 
Students will: 
 Ask questions about observed relationships, and plan investigations of questions, ideas, problems and issues 
     • define and delimit problems to facilitate investigation (e.g., how do plants adjust to accommodate different environmental conditions such as varying levels of light and fertilizer) 
     • design an experiment, identifying and controlling major variables (e.g., design an investigation to determine the effect of CO2(g) concentration on the number of chloroplasts found in an aquatic plant cell) 
     • state a prediction and a hypothesis based on available evidence and background information (e.g., hypothesize how biochemical interconversions of starch and glucose might regulate the turgor pressure of cells; hypothesize the direction of root and plant growth of a bean plant growing on a rotating turntable, and predict the effects of varying RPMs on the angle of growth) 
     • identify the theoretical basis of an investigation, and develop a prediction and a hypothesis that are consistent with the theoretical basis (e.g., use the particle theory to hypothesize how the rate of diffusion is affected by varying particle size, and then predict the rates of diffusion of a sucrose solution and a starch solution when placed into dialysis tubing in a beaker of water) 
     • formulate operational definitions of major variables (e.g., define concentration gradient, equilibrium) 
 
Performing and Recording 
 
Students will: 
 Conduct investigations into relationships between and among observable variables, and use a broad range of tools and techniques to gather and record data and information 
     • carry out procedures, controlling the major variables and adapting or extending procedures (e.g., perform an experiment to determine the effect of tonicity on plasmolysis and deplasmolysis in plant cells, such as staminal hairs or aquatic leaf cells, identify variables that do affect plasmolysis, such as the amount of light and heat, and control these variables) 
     • use instruments effectively and accurately for collecting data (e.g., use a microscope to observe movement of water in plants; prepare wet mounts of tissue from flowering plants, and observe cellular structures specific to plant and animal cells; stain cells to make them visible) 
     • estimate quantities (e.g., compare sizes of various types of cells under the microscope; calculate magnification, field of view and scale) 
     • compile and organize data, using appropriate formats and data treatments to facilitate interpretation of the data (e.g., organize data obtained from measuring daily temperature and bloom dates of plant species, such as aspen, poplar, common purple lilac and crocus to determine a relationship between the two variables) 

     • use library and electronic research tools to collect information on a given topic (e.g., upload and download text, image, audio and video files on emerging technologies for studying cells) 
     • select and integrate information from various print and electronic sources or from several parts of the same source (e.g., create electronic documents containing multiple links, or summarize particles based on the scientific principles and/or technological developments)