7

Research 1
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
The Basic Science Process Skills
MEASURING

NORALA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Poblacion, Norala, South
1 Cotabato
Introductory Message
Research 1 for Grade 7 is a course in the Special Science Program designed to equip
learners with essential scientific attitudes and science process skills that will prepare them
in conducting science investigations. These skills include observing, measuring, inferring,
classifying, predicting, communicating, formulating research problems, formulating
hypothesis, defining and identifying variables, describing relationships between variables,
designing an investigation, experimenting and writing simple scientific report. This simple
science investigation shall be confined within the school premises. This course provides an
excellent groundwork or pre requisite background for higher research work.

For the learner:

Welcome to the Research 7 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on The Basic Science Process
Skills (Measuring).

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use your notebook in answering the exercises/activities.
2. Don’t forget to answer all the exercises/activities included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next activity.

If you encounter any problem or difficulty in answering the tasks, do not hesitate to consult
your teacher. Always remember that you are not alone.
I hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deeper
understanding of the most relevant competencies. You can do it.

CONTENT STANDARD
The learner demonstrates understanding of the scientific attitudes, applies appropriate
basic science process skills in designing simple science investigation.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD
design simple science investigation applying scientific attitudes and basic science
process skills which are the inherent requirements in conducting simple science
investigation.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES
Use appropriate tools in measuring objects (SSP-RS7SPS-1d-e-4)

2
What I Need to Know

In performing scientific investigations, you need to measure quantities such

as the height of an object, the width of the paper, the amount of the water, the
weight of the nails and many others. All these forms of measurement need to use
the same preference point or standard of measure that people from different places
of the world accept and use. Using a standard measure, you will get accurate
descriptions of the things you want to measure.
Scientists usually work in a laboratory, often called a lab. The word
“laboratory” comes from labore, the Latin term for “work”. To a scientist, a
laboratory is like a kitchen to cook. A laboratory is a place where experiments are
usually done. It is a place with equipment that people use to do science. Much of
the equipment is for doing experiments, making observations, and taking
measurements. The laboratory room is used for storing the different laboratory
equipment and apparatuses. However, laboratory does not only mean a four-
cornered room with all the different equipment and apparatuses. This can also be
a farm, a beach, a fish pond, a quadrangle, or any open area where learning takes
place effectively.

This module is divided into two lessons, namely:

 Lesson 1 Units of Measure
 Lesson 2 Laboratory Tools used in the Scientific Investigations

After going through this module, you are expected to:

a. describe how objects were measured in the ancient times
b. compare the measurements of selected objects using the arbitrary
measures and standard device
c. identify the base units used in the metric system
d. name and describe the function of some laboratory apparatuses used
in scientific investigations
e. classify the measuring tools as either traditional or modern
f. explain the importance of measuring skills in conducting science
investigations

3
What I Know

Direction: Read and understand the questions. Write the letter of the correct
answer in your notebook.

1. Which unit of measurement would you use to measure the length of an ant?
a. cubic centimeters c. millimeters
b. kilograms d. seconds

2. How would you measure the weight of an apple?

a. centimeters c. minutes
b. grams d. tons

3. How would you measure the amount of milk in the bottle in your refrigerator?
a. centimeters c. kilograms
b. hours d. liters

4. Which of the unit of measurement will you use to measure the time it takes to
walk a certain distance?
a. centiliters c. cubic centimeters
b. centimeters d. seconds

5. Which of the following is the function of the laboratory room?

a. have a snack c. prank on a classmate
c. run around and play tag d. run an experiment

6. What should you do when the equipment is broken or not properly working?
a. Clean up the mess made from the broken equipment
b. Let your classmates know you shouldn’t use the equipment
c. Quickly repair the equipment
d. Tell your teacher immediately about the problem

For numbers 7-11, refer to the picture of laboratory apparatus below. Write the
letter only.

7. Which of the following is used for pounding and grinding solid materials to
powdered form?
a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E

4
8. Which of the following is a source of energy?
a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E

9. Which of the following is the Erlenmeyer flask?

a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E

10. Which is used to wash the inner wall of the test tubes or other instruments
with small opening?
a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E

11. Which of the instruments is used as a container during filtration and

distillation process?
a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E

12. What instrument is used to measure the temperature?

a. beaker c. thermometer
b. pipette d. washing bottle

13. Which of the following instruments is used as container for the solution?
a. beaker c. thermometer
b. test tube d. stirring rod

14. Which is used to measure large quantities of liquid?

a. beaker c. graduated cylinder
b. Erlenmeyer flask d. test tube

15. What instrument is used to measure the volume of liquids?

a. Dropper c. Florence flask
b. Erlenmeyer flask d. graduated cylinder

5
Lesson Research 1
1
The Basic Science Process Skills
(Measuring-Units of Measure)

Learning Objectives:

a. Describe how objects were measured in the ancient times

b. Compare the measurements of selected objects using the arbitrary
measures and standard device
c. Identify the base units used in the metric system

What’s In

What’s up! Feeling good? I hope so. Let us have a short look on our past lesson.

Activity 1: How Good Am I?

Direction:. Identify which is qualitative and quantitative observation. Write the

correct answer in your notebook.

1. Ten ducks are heading towards the lake.

2. I bought 3 kilograms of ripe mango yesterday.
3. Her hair smells terrific.
4. My cousin Jojo owns the latest model of Chevrolet in town.
5. The wind is moving 245 km per hour going east.

6
What’s New

Measuring is putting a number of quantities under observation using a

suitable instrument or device to get the actual value against a certain standard.

Activity 2: Try This!

Direction: Perform the activity together with any member of the family. Write your
observation in your notebook.

Materials:
Ruler ballpen or pencil book
Notebook

Procedure:
1. Measure the length of the given materials using your dali.
3. Record your measurement in the table similar to the one below.

Measurement

Objects You Family member

Body part Ruler (cm) Body part Ruler (cm)
(dali) (dali)
notebook
book
Pencil/ballpen

4. Ask any member of the family to measure the same objects using his or
her dali. Enter the same measurement in the table.
5. Repeat the activity with both of you using a ruler. Record your readings in
centimeters.

QUESTIONS

1. Do you find difficulty measuring the length of the objects? If yes, what kind of
measurement is easiest to do? difficult to do?
2. Compare the measurements done by you and your family member? Is it the
same? Explain your answer.
3. What problem do you think were encountered in using body parts as a unit of
measure?
4. Why do you think this problem arose?

7
What is It

Measurements were used even during the time of our ancestors. But their
measurement made use of body parts. Dipa, for instance, is the measurement
from the tip of the middle finger of one hand to the tip of the middle finger of the
other hand when the arms are fully stretched sideways. Dangkal is the distance
between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the middle finger when the hand is fully
stretched. Dali is the length between the tip of the thumb to its first segment. And
the talampakan is equivalent to one foot. See the figure 1.

Figure 1 Body parts used for measurement

Now you know why it is important to use a standard measuring device when
making observations instead of body parts. People differ in the sizes of their body.
You also know that people grow at different rates. If you will use body parts to
measure things, you will therefore not always get the same result. Thus, when a
long-armed customer buys a piece of cloth from a short-armed seller, there will be
disagreement.

In the Philippines, the Bureau of Standards determines the standards or

official norms of measurement to be used. The acceptable standard of
measurement at present is the Metric System. This is considered the
International System of Unit (System Internationale d’ Unites or SI units).
Presidential Decree No. 187 signed in 1978 directs the use of the Metric System

8
and abolished the use of the English system of measurement in both industry and
commerce.
Thus, the gallon, pint, and the customary units like picul, quintal and ganta
are no longer used.
The metric system or SI is made up of base units from which other units
maybe derived. Below are the examples.
Length - meter (m): (millimeter mm, kilometer km)
Mass - gram (g): (centigram cg, milligram mg)
Volume - liter (L): (deciliter dL, kiloliter kL)
Area - square meter (m2): (square kilometer km2)

The base units are made bigger or smaller by attaching the metric prefixes
before the units such as:
Prefixes Means
kilo thousand
hecto hundred
deka ten
deci One tenth
centi One hundredth
milli One thousandth

At present, certain units of measure which are not part of SI are still widely
used. Some of these are: hour, kilowatt-hour, cup, tablespoon and teaspoon.
Metric units are given in multiples of ten (hundred, thousand, etc.). It is
relatively easy to convert one unit to another.

9
What’s More

The instruments used for actual measurements are calibrated against an

accepted scale based on a standard measurement.
The next activity will help develop your skills in measuring and reading
scales.

Activity 3: Take Me with Accuracy

Direction:
Perform the activity carefully. Observe caution. Write your observation in
your notebook.

Materials:
Ruler Notebook Ballpen

Procedure:

1. Take a standard ruler. Put marks A, B, C and D on points indicated. See

Figure 2 below.

Figure 2 Part of the standard ruler

Questions:
1. How many equal spaces are there from A to B?
2. Note that each space is bounded by two line segments. What does each
space represent?
3. How many millimeters are there in 1 centimeter?
4. How many centimeters are there from A to C? from A to D?
5. What is the length from A to C in millimeter? from A to D in millimeter?

10
What I Have Learned

Wow, you are doing well! Check your understanding. Have fun.

Activity 4: Bring back my memory

Direction: Fill in the blank with the correct term/s found inside the box. Do
it correctly.

dangkal dipa dali

Metric System SI meter

gram Bureau of Standards

Dipa, for instance, is the measurement from the tip of the middle finger of one
hand to the tip of the middle finger of the other hand when the arms are fully
stretched sideways. (1) __________ is the distance between the tip of the thumb and
the tip of the middle finger when the hand is fully stretched. (2) __________ is the
length between the tip of the thumb to its first segment. And the talampakan is
equivalent to one foot.
The (3)__________ determines the standards or official norms of measurement to be
used. The acceptable standard of measurement at present is the (4) __________.
This is considered the International System of Unit (System Internationale d’ Unites
or SI units). Presidential Decree No. 187 signed in 1978 directs the use of the
Metric System and abolished the use of the English system of measurement in both
industry and commerce.
The metric system or SI is made up of base units from which other units maybe
derived. For length the base unit is (5) _________ (m), for mass, it is gram (g)
And the base unit for volume is liter (L).

11
Lesson Research 1
2
The Basic Science Process Skills
(Measuring-Laboratory Tools)

Learning Objectives:

a. Identify common laboratory equipment used in scientific

investigations and explain their uses
b. Classify the equipment as either traditional or modern
c. Explain the importance of measuring skills in conducting science
investigations

What’s In

Are you familiar with different laboratory apparatuses? This is our lesson
for today however before we move any further, you are going to recall what you
have learned in the previous lesson.

Activity 1: Looking back in the Past

Direction:. Choose the best answer. Write the letter of the correct answer in your
notebook.
1. Why are body parts not a good measuring aid?
a. difficult to use
b. not all people are identical in size
c. the result is not exact
d. all of the above
2. What is the base unit in measuring the mass of an object?
a. gram
b. liter
c. meter
d. square meter

12
3. What is the base unit for length?
a. gram
b. liter
c. meter
d. square meter
4. Why is the reason why Metric system is used as a standard norm of
measurement?
a. easily converted to other units
b. easy to remember
c. the name is more pleasing to the ear
d. the president declared the use of it
5. Which of the following is the standard measuring device?
a. arms
b. foot
c. glass
d. ruler

What’s New

There are different kinds of laboratory equipment and apparatuses often used in
scientific investigations.

Activity 2: Know Me?

Direction: Do what is being asked. Write your answer in your notebook.

Materials:
ballpen or pencil Notebook

Procedure:
Table 1 shows some laboratory equipment. Identify the devices by using
the letter from the list to label each item.

a. beaker f. metric ruler

b. Bunsen burner g. microscope
c. compass h. petri dish
d. graduated cylinder i. test tube
e. hand lens j. thermometer
k. triple beam balance

13
1.

2.

3.

9
4.

5.
10

Questions:
How well did you score? If you were able to score 7 and above, you have
familiarized well some of the common laboratory equipment.

14
What is It

To aid scientist in their observation of phenomena, precision tools and

equipment are used. There are many scientific tools and equipment used in biology,
chemistry and physics laboratories. These equipment are classified based on its
use.
Heating Apparatuses
Bunsen burner - it is used to provide heat by burning gas fuel.
Alcohol lamp – provides slow heating. It has an alcohol and a wick.
Wire Gauze – it is used as support for beakers when placed across a
support ring.
Tripod – holds the beaker being heated
Glass Apparatus
Test tube - it is used to hold liquid or solution
Beaker - it is a container which is made of glass or metal used to
measure large quantities of liquid.
Erlenmeyer flask - a cone shaped vessel with a narrow flat bottom used to
measure volume of liquids
Reagent bottles - used to contain chemicals that are mixed or added with
other substances to bring about chemical reactions
Florence flask - a round, flat bottomed long necked vessel used to measure
large quantities of liquid and to hold boiling liquids
Measuring Apparatus
Thermometer - an instrument which measures temperature
Medicine dropper - it is used to get or transfer small amount of liquid
Graduated cylinder - used to make accurate measurement of liquid volumes.
Other Laboratory apparatus and Equipment
Microscope - used to magnify objects not normally seen with the
unaided eye
Hand lens - it is to observe very small objects
Funnel - it is used when pouring liquids into small openings
Platform balance - it is used for weighing large masses
Meter stick - used to measure the length of an object
Mortar and Pestle - used for pounding or pulverizing larger samples into

15
smaller ones
Wash bottle - is used to wash the inner wall of the test tubes or other
instruments with small opening?
Distilling flask - an instrument used as a container during filtration and
distillation process

Generally, laboratory apparatuses and equipment are group as either traditional

laboratory measuring tools and modern laboratory tools.
Traditional laboratory measuring tools:
a. platform balance
b. graduated cylinder
c. meter stick
d. thermometer
e. medicine dropper
f. others
Modern laboratory tools:
a. pH meter
b. colony counter
c. calorimeter
d. galvanometer
e. voltmeter
f. oscilloscope
g. micropipette
h. laboratory sensors
i. others
The use of laboratory apparatuses and equipment and the skill in
manipulating is important in any scientific investigations. It helps and enables the
experimenter to quantify variables and obtain valid and reliable result.

Remember:
Laboratory equipment and apparatuses should be used for their specific
purpose. Safety precautions should be observed before, during and after
conducting laboratory activities.

16
What’s More

Activity 3: Here I Am

Direction:
Read the laboratory procedure of the following experiments. Identify and
write the materials you would need to assemble, to complete or to do the
experiments. Write the name of the instrument in your notebook.

Experiment A

Fill a flask about ¾ full of water. Attach the iron clamp to the
iron stand. Place the wire gauze over the opening of the clamp.
Set the Erlenmeyer flask on the wire gauze. Light and adjust the
flame on the burner. Adjust the flask on the iron stand so that
only one side is heated. When the water inside the flask begins to
boil, add a few drops of food coloring using the medicine dropper.

Experiment B

With a glass marking pen, draw a line on the bottom of the

petri dish containing the nutrient agar, dividing it in half.
Label one side “control” and the other side “experiment”. Swab
your hand with a sterile cotton swab one corner of the control
side of the agar with the same swab. Sterilize a wire loop by
passing it over the flame of the alcohol lamp until the entire
length is heated. Dip the loop into a beaker with solution
containing yeast. Streak the experimental side of the agar
with the wire loop.

Questions:
1. What equipment can hold liquids?
2. What equipment is used as a source of heat?

17
What I Have Learned

Congratulations! You are doing well.

Activity 4: Let me In

Direction:
During your elementary days for sure you have encountered common
laboratory instruments. Name and write the instruments you have
manipulated, seen or use in your experiments. Write your answer in your
notebook.

What I Can Do

Hang on! You are almost there. Enjoy and smile.

Activity 5: Ask the expert

Direction: Answer the question briefly. Write your answer in your notebook.
Question:
What is/are measuring devices used by vegetable and meat vendors in the
market? Do you think their device is/are accurate? How do you know?

Assessment

Direction: Read and understand the questions. Write the letter of the correct
answer in your notebook.

1. What instrument is used to measure the temperature?

a. beaker c. thermometer
b. pipette d. washing bottle

2. Which of the following instruments is used as container for the solution?

a. beaker c. thermometer
b. test tube d. stirring rod

18
3. Which is used to measure large quantities of liquid?
a. beaker c. graduated cylinder
b. Erlenmeyer flask d. test tube

4. What instrument is used to measure the volume of liquids?

a. Dropper c. Florence flask
b. Erlenmeyer flask d. graduated cylinder

5. Which of the unit of measurement will you use to measure the time it takes to
walk a certain distance?
a. centiliters c. cubic centimeters
b. centimeters d. seconds

6. Which of the following is the function of the laboratory room?

a. have a snack c. prank on a classmate
c. run around and play tag d. run an experiment

7. What should you do when the equipment is broken or not properly working?
a. Clean up the mess made from the broken equipment
b. Let your classmates know you shouldn’t use the equipment
c. Quickly repair the equipment
d. Tell your teacher immediately about the problem

8. Which unit of measurement would you use to measure the length of an ant?
a. cubic centimeters c. millimeters
b. kilograms d. seconds

9. How would you measure the weight of an apple?

a. centimeters c. minutes
b. grams d. tons

10. How would you measure the amount of milk in the bottle in your refrigerator?
a. centimeters c. kilograms
b. hours d. liters

For numbers 11-15, refer to the picture of laboratory apparatus below. Write the
letter only.

19
11. Which of the following is used for pounding and grinding solid materials to
powdered form?
a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E
12. Which of the following as a source of energy?
a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E

13. Which of the following is the Erlenmeyer flask?

a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E

14. Which is used to wash the inner wall of the test tubes or other instruments
with small opening?
a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E

15. Which of the instruments is used as a container during filtration and

distillation process?
a. A b. B c. C d. D e. E

Additional Activities

Job well done!

Activity 6: For your Benefit
Direction:
During your spare time, look back on the instruments classified as
modern laboratory tools. Research on the use/function of the
devices. Do it in your notebook.

20
21
Lesson 1 Activity 4: Bring Back my
Memory
1. Dangkal
2. Dali
3. Bureau of Standards
4. Metric system
5. meter
Lesson 1 Activity 3: Take me with Lesson 1 Activity 2: Try this
Accuracy
1. Answer May Vary
1. 10 2. The measurement using ruler is the
2. 1 mm same and different using the dali.
3. 10 mm 3. There will be different measurements.
4. 2 cm, 3 cm 4. No two individual is alike or identical
5. 20 mm, 30 mm in size.
What I Know
Lesson 1 Activity 1: How Good am I?
1. C
1. Quantitative 2. B
2. Quantitative 3. D
3. Qualitative 4. D
4. qualitative 5. D
5. quantitative 6. D
7. B
8. D
9. E
10. C
11. A
12. C
13. B
14. A
15. D
Answer Key
22
Lesson 1 Activity 5: Ask the Expert
Possible answer.
Weighing balance
Prove: answer may vary
References

BOOKS
Albarico, Joni M, Avasar, Ruel G, Castor, Lucila G, (2010), Teaching guide in
Integrated Science pp. 11-13
Amasol, Teresita A, Balce, Marina, Galvez, Elvira & Lozano, Lourdes F., (2003),
Science & Technology for the Future 1 pp.13-15
Bayquen, Aristea V, Darvin-Faraon, Genevieve, Ferriols-Pavico, Josefina Ma, &
Silverio, Angelina A, Ramos, John Donnie A (Author-Coordinator) (2013), Exploring
Life Through Science Series pp. 33-40
Lastimado, Arturo V, Sabido, Gemma T & Tanora, Vicentius Invictus M, (2005),
Science & Technology 1 Integrated Science pp. 8-9
Mangubat, Ma. Carmina R, Rasalan, Elizabeth S (Author/Coordinator) (2005),
Integrated Science Laboratory Manual and Workbook pp. viii-x, 27-30
Rabago, Lilia M, Ph.D., Joaquin, Cresencia C, Ph.D, Ferrer, Diana L, Intong, Mona
Lisa A, Mingoa, Thelma R,(1997), Science and Technology General Science
Textbook for First Year pp. 316-318
(2006,2009), Integrated Science – Science & Technology for First Year p. 10

Prepared by:

LAARNI A. PABIONA
Science Coordinator

Reviewed by:

ELMER B. BILLANES
SS Principal II

23
24