California Career and Technical Education Standards

• HSMT.A.A2.1 Understand basic mathematical concepts related to the field, such as how to arri...
• HSMT.A.A4.1 Understand how molarity relates to solution preparation.

California Academic Content Standards (Reinforced)

• ELA.9-10.R.CAGT.2.3 Generate relevant questions about readings on issues that can be researched.2
• ELA.9-10.R.CAGT.2.5 Extend ideas presented in primary or secondary sources through original analysis...3
• ELA.9-10.R.CAGT.2.6 Demonstrate use of sophisticated learning tools by following technical direction...2
• ELA.9-10.W.2.3d Write expository compositions, including analytical essays and research reports ...
• ELA.9-10.W.2.3f Write expository compositions, including analytical essays and research reports ...
• M.7.AF.3.3 Graph linear functions, noting that the vertical change (change in y-value) per ...22
• M.8-12.A.6.0 Students graph a linear equation and compute the x- and y-intercepts (e.g., grap...21

• Welcome Back from Summer - Hooks / Set

  This lab can be altered to illustrate a variety of different topics; cellular respiration, fermentation, measurements, microorganisms, solutions and dilutions.  It is presently written as a review to solutions and measurements.

  As students walk into class there will be a collection of solutions in beakers.  The solutions can be anything from; coffee, soda, water, Kool-aid, tea or just water and food coloring.  The question on the board reads, " Which one of these solution contains the most sugar?"  The discussion will most likely lead to tasting the solutions.  However, any teacher worth their salt knows that you never taste solutions in the lab. So the follow up question is," How can we prove which solution has the most sugar in it?"  Allow the students to discuss this question at their tables for a moment and then share any ideas. 

  Once everyone has had a chance to share, introduce the lab.  In the discussions make sure to address concepts key to the lab; scientific method, measurements and cellular respiration

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• Lab Demo - Demo / Modeling

  Teachers will need to create a yeast solution the night before from a new/fresh packet of yeast and warm water.   To make the yeast solution ,add 1 gram of Active Dry Yeast to approximately 500 ml of warm water the night before.

  Teachers will want to demo how to make solutions and how to make the remaining dilutions.  The instructions are on the lab write-up.  This you (the instructor)  will want to practice, especially  removing ALL of the air from the small test at the beginning of the experiment.
• Molasses Lab - Lab / Shop

  This lab will take at least 2 days.  The first day will include making the molasses solutions.  Depending on the focus of the lab, you can approach the making of solutions by percentages or molarity.  Regardless, it is a great way to get the students thinking about solutions and dilutions.  Once the dilutions are made and the smaller test tubes have been place inverted into the larger test tubes, place the test tubes in a test tube rack and wait at least 24 hrs and maybe 48 hours for results.

    The following day or two, students will measure the length of the CO2 gas bubble trapped in the smaller test tubes using a metric ruler.  Students will need to create a graph to compare gas production vs molasses concentration.

  • Molasses Lab [ Download ] This is the lab write-up. The lab is fairly self explainitory
• Lab Graph - Assessment

  The following day or two, students will measure the length of the CO2 gas bubble trapped in the smaller test tubes using a metric ruler.   Students will need to create a graph to compare gas production vs molasses concentration.

   

  Attached is a sample graph.  Depending on the class or unit focus you can also address statistics, standard deviations, averages, out liners, experimental controls, and the list could go on.  The main focus is to focus on procedure and measurement.

  • Example Molasses Graph [ Download ] Attached is an example of what the graph may look like. Some prior knowledge of Excel will be helpful