Name:

Group Members:

Tissue Lab

Step 1: Ask a Question

Which brand of tissue is the strongest when wet?
Step 2: Collect Information
Examine each brand of tissue and made observations. Think of things such as texture (rough,
scratchy, soft, smooth), thickness, amount of fibers, etc. Remember to make observations, not
inferences!
Blue dot observations:

Green dot observations:

Red dot observations:

Step 3: Form a Hypothesis

I think the brand with the dot will be the strongest when wet because

Step 4: Test the Hypothesis and Collect Data

1. Collect materials from the back of the room (2 cups, one with water; dropper; rubber
band; pennies).
2. Carefully place one sheet of tissue over the top of the empty cup. Use the rubber band to
keep the tissue in place.
3. Use the dropper to add EXACTLY three drops of water to the center of the tissue. Note: it is
extremely important to be consistent when adding the water; each sheet must get exactly
three drops! Allow the water to spread over the tissue.
4. Gently place pennies onto the center of the tissue, ONE AT A TIME. Stop as soon as the
paper breaks.
5. Count the number of pennies that fell into the beaker. Record this value on your data
table.
 6. Repeat this experiment two more times with the same brand, recording your data.
7. Repeat for each of the others brands of tissue.
Variables:
• Manipulated (independent)variable:
• Responding (dependent) variable:
• Control (unchanging) variables:
Data Table: Number of Pennies Applied to Tissue before Breaking
Tissue Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
Blue
Green
Red
Average = (Trial 1 + Trial 2 + Trial 3)/3

Step 5: Analyze Data

Construct a graph on the graph paper provided. Put the independent variable on
the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis. Use the average number of pennies for each
type of tissue. Include labels and a title.
Step 6: Draw a Conclusion
Write a conclusion based on the data gathered from this experiment. The data you collected will
either support or contradict your hypothesis. Use one of the statements below:
As I predicted, the tissue with the dot was the strongest. Therefore my
hypothesis was correct. I know this because my data showed . . . (explain your
data)

Or . . .
I thought the tissue with the dot would be the strongest. Instead the
tissue with the was the strongest. I know this
because my data shows . . . (explain your data)

Step 7: Develop a Theory

How could we develop a theory about which tissue brand was the strongest?