BIO-PROCESS LAB

(B) KAREN2016
LANCOUR
National Committee Chair-Life
Science

Bio-Process Lab National Supervisor

karenlancour@charter.net

Event Rules 2016

DISCLAIMER
This presentation was prepared
using draft rules. There may be
some changes in the final copy of the
rules. The rules which will be in your
Coaches Manual and Student
Manuals will be the official rules.

Event Rules 2015

BE SURE TO CHECK THE

2016 EVENT RULES FOR
EVENT PARAMETERS AND
TOPICS FOR EACH
COMPETITION LEVEL

TRAINING MATERIALS

Training Power Point content overview

Training Handout - content information and needed
skills
Practice Activities - sample stations with key
Sample Tournaments sample problems with key
Event Supervisor Guide prep tips, event needs, and
scoring tips
Internet Resource & Training CDs on the Science
Olympiad website at www.soinc.org under Event
Information
Biology-Earth Science CD, Bio-Process Lab CD (updated
2015) in Science Olympiad Store at www.soinc.org
Biology lab manuals identify variables and evaluate
the labs become familiar with typical bio labs

Bio-Process Lab (B)

Event Description - laboriented competition involving

the fundamental science
processes of a middle school
biology lab program
Event lab practical in stations
Event Parameters be sure to
check the rules for resources
allowed, type of goggles

Basic Science Process

Skills

Observing
Measuring
Inferring
Classifying
Predicting
Communicating

Integrated Science Process

Skills

Formulating Hypothesis
Identifying Variables
Defining Variables Operationally
Describing Relationships Between
Variables
Designing Investigations
Experimenting
Acquiring Data
Analyzing Investigations and Their Data
Understanding Cause and Effect
Relationships

GAME PLAN

USE THE POWERPOINT FOR OVERVIEW

USE THE HANDOUT FOR DETAIL OF INFORMATION
NEEDED AND TYPE OF QUESTIONS
GO TO THE INTERNET RESOURCES AND CDS FOR MORE
HELP
DO THE PRACTICE ACTIVITIES TO MASTER SKILLS
DO THE SAMPLE TOURNAMENTS UNDER TIMED
CONDITIONS TO EXPERIENCE COMPETITION SITUATION
DO OLD TOURNAMENTS PRACTICE, PRACTICE,
PRACTICE
THE KEY TO SUCCESS THE BEST WAY TO LEARN THE
SKILLS IS BY DOING

Student Preparation
Team work skills work as a team
Many mistakes are made when work is
split to save time results in many errors
Time limits invest in a timer and practice using it
Check station setups to see what is available to
help you
Answering questions see student preparation
guide
Be sure to read questions and do all parts
requested
Measurement and Calculations check graduations
and remember units
Reference materials make them functional for
competition under timed conditions
Practice, Practice, Practice using the skills you have

Compound Microscope

Parts
Making wet mount
Appearance of
objects
Movement of
objects
Magnification
Changing objects
Estimating size of
objects
Field diameter &
area

Principles of
Microscopy

Measuring Objects
under Microscope

Sample Station
Microscopy

Determine the diameter of the field

and the length of one cell in mm and
convert to mcm.

Stereomicroscope

Parts
Appearance of
objects
Magnification
Advantages
Uses
Observing
objects

Examining Instrument
Graduations Before
Measuring

Capacity- highest it will read starts at zero

Range if does not start at zero as thermometer
Numbered Increments (graduations)
Unnumbered Increment (graduations)

MANY ERRORS ARE MADE BECAUSE STUDENTS DO NOT

EXAMINE THE GRADUATIONS BEFORE MEASURING !!!!!

Measuring Liquids

Meniscus read
bottom
Capacity and Range
Graduations
numbered and
unnumbered
increments
Readability
Making
measurements

Estimating

Metric ruler and

calipers

Capacity and
Range
Numbered and
unnumbered
increments
cm vs mm
Uses of each
Making
measurements
Estimating

Thermometers

Capacity and
Range
Do not start at
zero
Numbered and
unnumbered
increments
Uses of each
Making
measurements

Sample Station Measurement

Identify range, capacity, incrementation

Do measurement estimate last digit

Triple Beam Balance

with Weights

Expands capacity of the balance from 610g to 2610 grams

2 weight equivalent to 1000 g and 1 weight equivalent to
500 g
Actual mass of weight is listed on the top of the weight.

Triple Beam Balance

Capacity auxillary
weights
Units numbered
and unnumbered
increments
Tare
Using the Balance
Advantages &
Disadvantages

Electronic Balance
Capacity
Units
Tare or Zero
Err

Using the Balance

Advantages &
Disadvantages

Probes

Graphing
calculator
Easy link or CBL
Probe
Collect data onto
calculator
Transfer data to
computer
Graph analysis
Quick data
collection

Sample Station pH

Determine the pH of various solutions

using either pH probe or pH test
papers.

Data Presentation and

Analysis- Data Tables

Format
Title
Units of
measuremen
t
Numbering
Tables
Source

Leg
(thigh)
Length
(cm)

Time of 40
yard dash
(sec)

24

31

9.2

37

11

38

10

39

8.2

42

8.4

55

9.3

62

Data Presentation and AnalysisGraphs

Graph types
X vs Y axis
Scaling axis
Plotting points
Human Error
Curve or best fit
line
Labeling

Sample Stations
Population Density

Measure sample area

Determine population density for symbols
Assign an organism to symbols
Form a food chain
Evaluate sample predict techniques, etc.

Experimental Analysis

Identify variables
Examine procedure will it evaluate
allow the hypothesis to be tested?
Evaluate observations to understand
what happened and why
Analyze data and identify errors
Determine if the hypothesis is true if
false what was not considered?
Propose further testing or new
hypothesis

Sample Station
Experiment Analysis

Analyze the design of the experiment

Identify variables
Explain results form conclusions

Data Analysis

Use observations to understand

what happened during the
experiment
Look for possible types errors
Look for patterns in the data
Do data analysis as mean,
median, mode
Examine group vs. class results
data

Sample
Station
Data Analysis

Making hypotheses
Food web analysis
Eating habit
analysis
Predictions and
conclusions
Inferences

Human Mistakes vs.

Experimental Errors
Human Mistakes carelessness
Experimental Error
instrument variation or
technique
Random Error chance
variation
Systematic Error system used
for designing or conducting

A Sample Dichotomous
Key

1. wings covered by an exoskeleton. . . . . . go to step 2

1. wings not covered by an exoskeleton. .. . go to step 3

2 body has a round shape.

2 body has an elongated shape.

3.wings point out from the side of the body . . dragonfly

3 wings point to the posterior of the body.. . . . Housefly

Note: There should be one less step than the total

number of organisms to be identified in your dichotomous
key.

. . . . . . . ladybug
. . . . .grasshopper

Sample Station
Dichotomous Key

Have specimens of leaves

Formulate a key or use a key to identify
specimens

Key to Success in
Bio-Process Lab

Learn the Skills using Practice

Activities
Practice under Timed Conditions
Work as a Team saves time and
catches errors
Pay attention to details avoid silly
mistakes
Relax and let the competition show
you how much you have learned
Have fun !!!