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Session 11: Measurement & Data Collection Lab

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Session 11

Measurement & Data Collection Lab

Scaling Up

Session 6 taught you that calipers vary trial to trial.

Today we scale that same idea up into a full measurement experiment.

Today's Setup

A spring, and a set of weights. Hang a weight, measure how far the spring stretches.

Today's Setup

This is not about spring physics or calculating anything from the spring itself.

It's pure practice at the discipline of measuring and logging real data — the exact workflow the launcher project runs on later.

Two Words You'll Use All Semester

In any experiment, one thing you change on purpose, and one thing you measure as a result.

Two Words You'll Use All Semester

  • Independent variable (IV) — the one you change on purpose. Today: the weight.
  • Dependent variable (DV) — the one you measure, because it depends on the IV. Today: the displacement.

Why This Matters Later

On the Launcher Project, your team picks its own IV — pull distance or launch angle — and every single thing after that is built around the choice.

You'll see "IV" written as shorthand from here on. It always means the thing you're deliberately varying.

The Actual Task

  1. Pick several different weights (your IV)
  2. For each weight, measure displacement (your DV) 3 times
  3. Record every trial in a raw data table

Why 3 Trials, Not 1?

Same reason as Session 6's calipers.

Why 3 Trials, Not 1?

One trial can't tell you if it was typical or a fluke. Three trials start to show you the real spread.

Two Things to Remember

More trials isn't slower science.

It's what makes your data trustworthy instead of lucky.

Two Things to Remember

Write down every trial, not just the "clean" ones.

A weird trial is still real data. Don't quietly leave it out.

Next Time

Session 12: Functions in Sheets

Move this same data into a spreadsheet — and put it to work with real spreadsheet functions.

'F' → Fullscreen

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Build

Step 1: Choose Your Weights

Using the weight set your instructor provides, pick at least 4 different weight increments to test.

Step 2: Measure Displacement, 3 Trials Each

For each weight, hang it on the spring and measure how far the spring stretches from its resting length. Do this 3 separate times per weight, resetting between trials.

Step 3: Record Your Raw Data Table

WeightTrial 1Trial 2Trial 3

Label your units. Every trial gets its own recorded value — not an average.

Step 4: Compare With Another Group

Find a group that tested the same weight you did. Are your displacement measurements close to theirs? If not, why might that be?

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Checkpoint

Before you submit, confirm:

  • You have at least 4 different weight increments, not just 1
  • Every trial is recorded individually — no pre-averaged numbers
  • Units are labeled on your table
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Reflection

Answer these on your own. Reflections are individual, even when the rest of the session was team work.

  1. Name today's independent and dependent variable, and explain in one sentence how you'd know which was which if nobody told you.
  2. Session 12 moves this data into Sheets and uses functions to summarize it automatically. Which of your weights' 3 trials would you most want averaged automatically instead of doing that math by hand?
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Submit

Submit your raw data table and your reflection.

Activity Complete