The Art of Analysis

R has a science project underway that he’s been working on – quite literally – for weeks. Months, even. His science experiment had to fit inside the concept of science that allows astronauts to travel to/from and live successfully on Mars.

His experiment of choice? The effect of varying light conditions on vegetable plant performance in hydroponic containers.

He did his experiment in multiple multi-week phases:

1. Validate the Concept. R built a test fixture and proved that he could grow radish seeds in it, using light exclusively from a light bulb. This took four weeks, and resulted in some minor modifications to the hydroponic container.

2. Full-blown test. Set up multiple identical hydroponic containers, and subject each to different light conditions for a period of time. R’s test period was about six weeks, if I recall correctly.

3. Measure Results. At the end of the time period, extract a random sampling of the plants and measure their size to determine how well they responded to the light given to them.

R’s experimental results are both surprising and useful. They point to a clear conclusion from multiple directions. Even though one hydroponic container behaved VERY differently from the rest, it still corroborates the same conclusion as the rest of the data.

Last night was data gathering night.  R broke open the containers, did his sampling/measuring, and collated his data. I helped him put his sample data into a spreadsheet (his first exposure to the spreadsheet), showed him how to make a formula to calculate average, and made his eyes bug-out when I graphed the results ‘instantly’ on a chart and his data suddenly told the story in clear numerical terms. It was cool to be his Dad and see his thinking suddenly converge on the meaning in his data. We stayed up an hour past his bedtime discussing and analyzing, as opposed to spending that same time engaged in the painful task of  keeping R’s brain on-task while plotting data points on graph paper by hand.

It was a great experience for us both – I was able to engage R’s brain where it likes to live: using detailed information to analyze, but not wasting precious time on the creation of that detailed information.

The other cool thing? R’s project needs to be turned in by mid-February. He’s got his experimental results, and a preliminary report framed up with three weeks to spare! We get to spend nearly a month not stressing about completing the minimum, but rather in polishing his findings into something really insightful. In other words, we get to spend time on the art of analysis instead of the mechanics of the scientific method.

Truth be told, R’s project is in the place where his Dad likes to operate, too… the art of analysis.