Lesson 48 of 84 · Human Impacts on Earth
Experiment⭐ 30 XP🌿 Wild JungleScientific Models: Representing Reality (Part 3)
Human Impacts on Earth.
🎯 Your mission
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
⚡ The twist
Every species solves the same problem differently.
Mind = Blown
🌳 Trees can talk to each other through underground fungus networks.
Make a hypothesis first
Before you watch: what do you think it'll do?
What You'll Learn
Models help scientists represent complex systems. Physical models (like a globe), mathematical models (like equations), and computer models all simplify reality to make it easier to study.
Key Words
- control
- data
- observation
Materials Needed
- cups
- aluminum foil
- ruler
Safety First
- Tie back long hair before starting the experiment.
- Protect your work surface with newspaper or plastic.
- Adult supervision recommended.
Steps
Review the background information on Human Impacts on Earth before starting.
Build a simple seismograph using a pen, cup, string, and paper. Shake the table and record the marks. Can you detect bigger vs. smaller shakes?
Look for patterns in your observations.
Make a graph or chart showing your results.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What makes a good scientific investigation?
Where you see this in real life
This is why plants grow toward windows and why scabs form.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Watch a plant or pet for 5 minutes today and write down what you noticed.
For the dinner table
“Tell me something you noticed about your own body today.”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
Share this experiment
Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
Checkout complete lesson on Human Impacts on Earth for 7th Grade
Get the full Human Impacts on Earth track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.