“Environmental Lab Skills”
Earthwatch Institute APES Lab (adapted from Jack Ashton)
Ky’Aura George
Jeannelle Manichand
September 20, 2016
Abstraction/Introduction:
The goal of this lab was to learn the basic skills involved in
completing environmental research. The purpose was to work with conversions in the metric
system, create graphs and analyze data, and review lab work or methods used to obtain the lab
work. The background information correlates to the experiment by setting up methods of how to
conduct an experiment, providing correct procedures to follow and giving relevant conversions
and issuing all measurements involved in anatomical measurements. Groups within the class
recorded their anatomical measurements in correlation to other classmates. This allowed for the
differentiation between males and females.
Materials:
ruler, measuring tape, sand, cup or beaker, graduated cylinder, funnel, pencil or pen,
data table, four graphs
Procedures:
A blank data table was provided. Prior to making measurements, partners for the
lab were chosen. Height measurements were written down in inches then converted into
centimeters. Work for those conversions were also provided. Then, by using a measuring tape,
the circumference of each student’s own wrist and neck was measured and recorded. Partners
then took the measurements required for one another (columns V, VII, VII) without talking.
Partners also assisted in helping their classmate with calculating the volume of their cupped
hand. In order to do this, the student had to cup their hand and lift out sand from the container.
Excess sand flowed back into the container until there was a stable amount of sand in the hand.
The partner then placed a cup or beaker under their classmate’s hand so that student could pour
all of the sand into the beaker. Next, the sand from the beaker was poured into a graduated
cylinder for a more accurate volume reading. After, sand was replaced into the container and all
