During the first 20 minutes of an experimental design task, what are teams expected to do?

During the first 20 minutes of an experimental design task, teams are expected to design and conduct their experiment. This initial time frame is typically dedicated to brainstorming, planning, and setting up the experiment, which is crucial for establishing a structured approach to testing their hypothesis. Engaging in the actual design allows teams to formulate their methods, define their variables, and organize the materials they will need.

Conducting the experiment early on helps to ensure that if there are any modifications needed or challenges encountered, the teams still have time to adjust their approach. This hands-on phase is vital for data collection, which they will later analyze for results.

Analyzing previous experiments, completing a written report, or choosing partners for collaboration would normally come before or after this initial phase, but the first 20 minutes are best utilized for active engagement in the experiment.