New Design DYO Task Description

Task Description
Students will receive detailed instruction and support from their science teacher to complete one of the
following types of projects:
1. Controlled Investigation
2. Field Investigation
3. Secondary Research Investigation
4. Design Investigation

1. Controlled Investigation
Students manipulate the variable being studied. Students will:
• Identify a problem
• Collect background information
• Make a hypothesis
• Determine the materials used
• Design the procedure, including identifying what factor will be varied and what is controlled.
• Ensure that the tools being used are appropriate for the investigation.
• Determine how, when and where measurements will be taken
• Collect data and represent the data in multiple ways (charts, graphs, diagrams)
• Replicate the procedure at least three times
• Analyze the data collected
• Form a conclusion based on the data collected and the stated hypothesis.
• New questions should be asked based on the results of the investigation.

2. Field Investigation
There are different types of field investigations; these include but are not limited to organism behavioral
studies, field transects and geological field studies. Students will study the natural or man-made
environments or the behavior of any organism (including but not limited to animals, fish and plants).
Students will gain practical experience and knowledge through firsthand observations. For all organism
behavioral studies, the student is a non-intrusive observer in the environment (does not interfere in any
way with the organism or the environment). Students will answer a question by making and recording
observations.
Students will:
• Identify a problem
• Collect background information
• Make a hypothesis
• Design a schedule of observations that will be made
• Identify the data that will be collected
• Identify the method for the collection of data.
• Construct an ethogram (for organism behavior), a transect chart or other appropriate data table.
• Observe and record the data.
• Collate and represent the data in multiple ways (charts, graphs, diagrams)
 • Analyze the data collected
• Form a conclusion based on the data collected and the stated hypothesis.

3. Secondary Research Investigation

Students will use data obtained by others to answer a question. Data sets are numerical data that has been
generated by previous research. The questions should address “How has X been affecting Y over Z
years?” Students will:
• Identify a problem
• Collect background information
• Make a hypothesis
• Design a research plan that identifies the data that is to be collected and the sources of that data.
• Obtain the data
• Make sure that the data sets are comparable in terms of units, contents, years etc...
• Reorganize the data that is being used into tables and graphs
• Analyze the data based on the question being asked and the hypothesis stated
• Form a conclusion based on the data collected and the stated hypothesis.
• Identify further questions

4. Design Investigation
Students use their understanding of scientific principles to design and construct a product that meets an
identified need. Students will:
• Identify a need
• Obtain, from a variety of sources, information about that need (background research).
• Determine the criteria for success (testing, relevant parameters)
• Propose several possible designs for products that might meet that need, taking into consideration
constraints such as cost, time, trade-offs, and materials needed.
• Create an optimal design (for example, small scale model or a schematic) and explain why it is
optimal.
• Develop detailed plans for how the selected design could be tested.
• Test the design and gather data.
• In the case of projects in which it is not possible to test the design, develop a plan on how the
design is to be evaluated over time to see if it does meet the identified need and create a realistic
hypothetical data set that will be used to analyze the effectiveness of that design.
• Analyze the data collected and revisit the design and revise if necessary