Week 1 - Laboratory

Week 1 - Laboratory

Before beginning this Lab, read “Lab 1: Introduction to Science” in your Environmental Science Student Manual.

This lab includes a video containing several questions and critical thinking activities that focus on the scientific method, lab reporting, and data collection and management. As you view the video, you will be prompted to stop and answer the Exercise 1 questions on the Week One Lab Reporting Form. Make sure to complete all of the following items before submission:

  • Read through the introductory material.
  • View the Lab 1 videos and answer Exercise 1 Questions 1 through 10 in complete sentences on the Week One Lab Reporting Form. Video 1: Link. Video 2: Link. Video 3: Link. Video 4: Link.
  • Submit the Lab One Reporting Form via Waypoint. The document does not need to include a title page or other APA formatting; however, any outside sources utilized in your answers must be referenced in proper APA format as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

Paper For Above instruction

In this laboratory assignment, students are introduced to fundamental concepts of scientific inquiry and data management within the context of environmental science. The emphasis is on engaging with instructional videos that reinforce understanding of the scientific method, lab reporting procedures, and data collection strategies. The assignment requires active participation by watching a series of videos and answering ten comprehensive questions designed to foster critical thinking and application of scientific principles.

The prerequisite reading, “Lab 1: Introduction to Science,” in the student manual, provides foundational knowledge that supports the subsequent activities. This initial step ensures students are familiar with essential scientific concepts, including hypothesis formulation, experimentation, observation, and conclusion drawing. The manual reading also contextualizes the exercises, facilitating better comprehension of the scientific process in practical applications.

The core activity involves viewing a set of four instructional videos, each containing specific content relevant to environmental science techniques and scientific reasoning. Students are instructed to pause the videos at designated points to answer ten questions on the Week One Lab Reporting Form. These questions aim to assess understanding of experimental design, data accuracy, and critical evaluation skills. Answers should be in complete sentences, demonstrating clarity and depth of understanding. Ensuring detailed responses allows for thorough assessment of students’ grasp of scientific concepts.

Submission of the completed lab report form via the designated platform, Waypoint, marks the culmination of this activity. While the report does not require formal APA formatting such as a title page or abstract, proper citation of any external sources used in responses is mandatory. This emphasizes academic integrity and proper scholarly practice, aligning with the standards outlined by the Ashford Writing Center.

Furthermore, students are encouraged to consult the grading rubric closely. The rubric delineates specific criteria such as comprehension, accuracy, completeness of responses, and proper citation practices. Adherence to these criteria directly influences the evaluation of the assignment, incentivizing careful preparation and attention to detail.

This laboratory exercise exemplifies experiential learning in environmental science, integrating multimedia learning, critical thinking, and scholarly writing. It encourages students to connect theoretical knowledge with practical application through active listening, reflective question-answering, and proper documentation. Overall, such activities foster analytical skills vital for scientific inquiry and professional communication within the environmental sciences field.

References

  • Ashford University Writing Center. (n.d.). APA Style Guide. https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/apa
  • California State University, East Bay. (2018). The Scientific Method. Understanding Scientific Inquiry.
  • McMillan, V. E. (2017). Fundamentals of scientific research. Westview Press.
  • National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Science and realistic modeling in environmental science. The National Academies Press.
  • Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2014). Physics for scientists and engineers with modern physics. Cengage Learning.
  • Wilkinson, T. (2019). Navigating scientific uncertainty. Environmental Science & Policy, 97, 14-23.
  • Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. Sage publications.
  • American Environmental Association. (2020). Ethical guidelines for environmental research. https://www.aea.org/ethics
  • Harvard University. (2021). Data collection techniques in environmental science. https://online.hms.harvard.edu/course/data-collection-techniques
  • O'Neill, B. C., Fenech, A., & Mistry, J. (2017). Modeling and scenario analysis in environmental science. Climate Change Economics, 8(2), 1750005.

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