{"id":25790,"date":"2025-09-20T23:42:28","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T23:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/?page_id=25790"},"modified":"2025-09-21T22:34:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-21T22:34:46","slug":"laboratory","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/online-envirobio\/field-lab\/research\/laboratory\/","title":{"rendered":"1b4 Laboratory"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Laboratory <\/span>\n\n \n \n Controlling Conditions for Research <\/span>\n <\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Laboratory Objectives:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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  • Explain why controlling variables in laboratory work can assist in drawing conclusions from research.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Using a moss investigation as an example, describe how science discovery can be applied to small-scale habitats.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Provide an example of an exploratory study that can generate variables for further research.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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    When you think of laboratory work<\/strong>, what do you think of?<\/h5> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/use><\/svg><\/em>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tList a few ideas in your notes<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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    Common responses we’ve heard include:<\/h5>\n
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    • equipment: beakers, bunsen burners, scales, microscopes.<\/li>\n
    • furniture: lab benches, stools, hoods, safety showers.<\/li>\n
    • specimens: dissected animals, fossils, tanks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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      Unfortunately, the people described are often stereotypically similar, possibly due to only a few well-know scientists like Einstein, Newton, or Darwin.<\/h6> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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      Science is richer with diverse perspectives.\u00a0 There are many ways to participate in science: helping your kids with their science homework, working in a community garden, or voting on science-related issues.<\/h6> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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      We hope everyone will feel included in the scientific endeavor.<\/h5> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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      Laboratories<\/strong> are settings where you can control variables (like light, temperature, and noise) and have easy access to needed equipment.<\/h5>\n
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      By controlling variables and only altering one at a time, it is possible to draw conclusions, including cause and effect.\u00a0<\/h5> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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      You can use a kitchen, bathroom, or even a corner is a closet.\u00a0 The key is to not leave any potential safety hazards behind.\u00a0 For example, not storing experimental waste materials in your fridge.<\/h5> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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      Moss Study<\/h5>\n

      This moss study will demonstrate how exploration leads to description and explanation.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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      To get an idea of how many organisms live in moss, we will collect dry moss that has fallen off the branches of an oak tree.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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