Observation is more than simply noticing something. Standing on a roadside, our eyes tell us cars are quickly approaching.
Prior knowledge warns us that stepping in front of a car is dangerous, so we wait until the road is clear. Observation is essential in science. Scientists use observation to collect and record data, which enables them to construct and then test hypotheses and theories. Scientists observe in many ways — with their own senses or with tools such as microscopes, scanners or transmitters to extend their vision or hearing. These tools allow for more precise and accurate observations. Scientists also use equipment to measure things like radiation or pH — phenomena not directly observable.
Humans have been observing earthworms and their activities for a very long time. Charles Darwin is credited with inspiring popular and scientific interest in earthworms with his book The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms, with Observations on their Habits. Darwin kept pots of soil in his study so he could observe earthworms. He tested their sensitivity to light and heat, observed their food preferences and even set up challenges to test their intelligence!
Fast forward 50 years and observations of a more practical nature were taking place in New Zealand. A Raetihi farmer noticed that parts of his farm were more productive than others. He thought this was due to lumbricid earthworms living in some of his paddocks but absent in others, so he experimented by distributing earthworms around his farm.
Observations may be the catalyst to scientific investigations. Research into earthworm activity continues today. It is well known that earthworm burrows increase water infiltration and soil aeration and that earthworms have a major impact on nutrient cycling. Some questions remain though. Which species are present and where? How much do they eat? How are they affected by farm management practices?
To identify and quantify which species of earthworms live in an area, the most reliable method is hand sorting. This involves digging a cube of soil, sifting through it and counting the earthworms. The advantages of this method are its reliability and simplicity. The disadvantages are that it is time consuming and laborious and it destroys the burrows. Nothing else is in the room.
Mission - to get ping pong ball out of pipe within 30 minutes with no damage to pipe, ball, room, or people. How to do this? Can you think of more than one possible way even if in the end it might not work? Make a list of possible solutions before reading further. What is the problem? Before we get to the 14 possible solutions and the 8 solutions which were rejected for one or more reasons, lets look at the problem itself. How will they react and who will lead the group.
If the self appointed leader thinks he knows the answer and refuses to let the group express its collective thoughts, than this presents a problem toward finding the best solution or perhaps any solution at all. Assess the physical principles impinging on this particular problem. As a short list, the following physical principles may have an effect on the outcome: adhesion, friction, leverage, gravity, rhythm, flotation, suction, lift, vacuum, static electricity, action-reaction, Bernoulli.
Assumptions If we assume that: Everyone will work together, the physical details of the problem are what they appear to be on their face, laws of causality as we understand them operate, each of us is capable of finding a solution, the best leader will be either self appointed or selected by consensus, there is an easy answer, the time is sufficient, etc. Why are you trapped with 4 other people some of whom you don't like in a room with a ping pong ball in the first place?
You agreed to do this. Not a problem - solve it and get out. Physical Gravity keeps the ball at the bottom of the pipe. Small space on either side of the ball precludes picking it up and also hampers extracting it by other means due to space constrictions such as friction of ball against walls of pipe.
Constrictions Time constriction Lack of tools Non damage to pipe, ball, room, or people All the normal ways of extracting things are not possible in this case can not turn the pipe over, reach in and grab it with your hand, knock the bottom of the pipe to get it out the other side Before acting, it often helps to rate the consequences of an act.
Consequences are often more important than the solution itself. See appendix below. Number in parentheses indicates intuitively assessed probability that the method will work in present circumstances 1 low to 10 high 1 adhesion - strand of hair and gum or other quick drying viscous substance to attach to ball and lift 10 2 suction - using mouth 10 3 friction - two pieces of cloth stuffed on either side of ball and lifted very slowly 6 4 friction and leverage - two pieces of very thin hard material used like chop sticks may have to split something someone has in pocket 8 5 gravity and displacement - pile up small pieces of something under the ball by dropping in on top and jumping or blowing to settle them below ball 3 6 flotation - liquid available - saliva 5 7 sling - thread from cloth put under ball by rolling ball and lifting 6 8 Bernoulli - very fast movement blowing over top of pipe.
Ball is probably too heavy for this to work but no harm in trying 6 [teacher's guide] 9 static electricity - felt or wool rubbed produces an electro- static charge which clings to ball. Worth a try however. Several reasons this would not work: - lack of fuel and ignition and the fact that materials can not be destroyed as in combustion.
No one said you couldn't communicate with the outside world. And if the operation is done carefully there will be no damage to pipe, ball, room, or people. Assumes room is stand alone i.
However, they are options. Ideas for Creativity and Innovation - Techniques, keeping mentally fit, and helpful creative resources. A number of very good links. Brings together many different planning and decision tools. Whelmers pingpongbaseball dropped together. Government organizations such as NASA are key partners in this worthwhile cause.
FIRST represents a cooperative team effort by students, teachers, communities, corporations, and our government. Robotics program introduces science and technology to elementary and middle school students using real-world challenges and hands-on learning. Reference 1. Book - Concertual Blockbusting, James L. PDF - ConceptualBlockbusting.
Comments, additional methods, criticisms welcomed email. This site is not affiliated with any of the sites or institutions on this page. The site is provided as a public service. You agree that you use its material at your own risk. By using it, you agree to terms and conditions of site use agreement. All rights reserved. Steps to Problem Solving return to top The following is not so much a discussion of the problem solving process as it is a listing of the steps we often go through in finding solutions to a problem.
Finding the Problem Be sure that the problem is defined correctly. Many problems, if stated correctly, become easy, or at least easier, to solve. Dealing with the Problem Once you have the correct problem s : 1 Break the problem into its subparts to more easily understand the whole. Finding the Solutions return to top Assess basic physical, social, etc. Find solutions to the sub parts which together will solve the over all problem.
Problem return to top You are in a room with 4 other people and there is a ping pong ball inside a cm 2. The problem as outlined here appears to be fairly clear. But are there other factors to take into account which in fact are part of the problem?
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