Asking questions, solving problems and investigating the natural world The Scientific Method Asking questions, solving problems and investigating the natural world

Day 1: What is the Scientific Method? Essential Question: What method do scientists and engineers use to ask questions and solve problems as they relate to the natural world?

Read about the scientific method and take notes. Complete flip chart

Day 2: Observations Essential Questions: How can our observations lead to asking questions? How can our observations lead to an investigation?

Scale for understanding: (4) Highly Proficient ** (3) Proficient I can complete all of the task at a 3 and identify situations in other classes and the real-world where it would be appropriate to use the scientific method I can teach the tasks at a 3 to a friend or family member and explain my thinking I can identify and explain all parts of the scientific method (observation/question, research, hypothesis, experiment, collect/analyze data, conclusion and variables) I can work through the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings using details from the lab (2) Partially Proficient (1) Minimally Proficient I can identify and explain most of the steps of the scientific method I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment but I struggle when asked to explain my findings With help from the teacher, I can identify and explain the parts of the scientific method With help from the teacher, I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings

What does it mean to observe? Think-Pair-Share 1 minute and then be ready to discuss

Your Task: Understand the importance of science and being detailed There are 8 stations around the room Each station has a sealed bag with a school item in it Your job is to use your senses, except your eyes, to try and figure out what is in each bag You will record the information on the worksheet that I have given you. Later you will need to glue it into your notebook and add it to your table of contents Remember: be detailed and thorough in your scientific investigation of the mystery cat bags!

Wrap it up! Discover the truth: What is really in the bags Complete the reflection page: Generate initial ideas for the scientific process as they relate to your investigation of the bags.

Day 3: Observations and Inferences Essential Questions: How can observations be classified? How can observations lead to inferences?

Scale for learning (4) Highly Proficient ** (3) Proficient I can complete all of the task at a 3 and identify situations in other classes and the real-world where it would be appropriate to use the scientific method I can teach the tasks at a 3 to a friend or family member and explain my thinking I can identify and explain all parts of the scientific method (observation/question, research, hypothesis, experiment, collect/analyze data, conclusion and variables) I can work through the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings using details from the lab (2) Partially Proficient (1) Minimally Proficient I can identify and explain most of the steps of the scientific method I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment but I struggle when asked to explain my findings With help from the teacher, I can identify and explain the parts of the scientific method With help from the teacher, I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings

Making Observations You have 30 seconds to remember as much detail about the items on the next page. The more detail the better. At the end of 30 seconds, record everything that you remember form the slide. You may not write while the pictures are still on the screen!

Times Up! Write down as many items with as much detail as you can remember!

Observations – In your notebook A good scientist is observant and notices things in the world A good scientist is curious about what is happening around them When making your observations focus on the facts not your opinion Two kinds of observations: Qualitative: Use your five senses, see, smell, taste, hear, and touch. Physical and chemical characteristics. Quantitative: What we measure. A specific quantity.

Starburst Observations Your notebook page: Starburst Observations Qualitative Quantitative 1 2 3 4

What are your Observations?

Pigeon Impossible: Inferences Day 3(continued): Using Observations to make inferences

Scale for learning (4) Highly Proficient ** (3) Proficient I can complete all of the task at a 3 and identify situations in other classes and the real-world where it would be appropriate to use the scientific method I can teach the tasks at a 3 to a friend or family member and explain my thinking I can identify and explain all parts of the scientific method (observation/question, inferences, research, hypothesis, experiment, collect/analyze data, conclusion and variables) I can work through the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings using details from the lab (2) Partially Proficient (1) Minimally Proficient I can identify and explain most of the steps of the scientific method I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment but I struggle when asked to explain my findings With help from the teacher, I can identify and explain the parts of the scientific method With help from the teacher, I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings

A conclusion made based on observations Inference A conclusion made based on observations

Pigeon: Impossible Make your inferences: http://safeshare.tv/w/DCoVMLtIzf Make your inferences: What is the mans job? Support your inference with evidence. What was the main problem in the film? Support your claim with evidence. What are 2 qualitative observations that you made during Pigeon:Impossible What are 2 quantitative observations that you made during Pigeon:Impossible

Inference practice Label you notebook page – Inference practice We will look at 4 pictures together and make qualitative and quantitative observations and an inference for each. The 5th picture will be your ticket out the door and a quick assessment of your understanding. You must write in complete sentences and you must include a qualitative and quantitative observation in your reasoning for your inference Example – This man has injured himself. I believe this to be true because of the 1 black lightning bolt and red face.

Quick Quiz – Exit Ticket Use the picture and make the following: Qualitative Observation Quantitative Observation Inference All answers need to be written in complete sentences. Quick Quiz – Exit Ticket

Day 4: Observation and Inference Assessment Use a video clip and image to make observations that lead to an inference.

Duck! Rabbit! Observations Duck/Rabbit Video

You Decide! Now that you have seen the video clip decide if it is a duck or a rabbit. Use your observation skills to explain why it is a duck or rabbit. After creating your duck or rabbit write 3 qualitative and 3 quantitative observations You also need to provide a short explanation for why it is a duck or rabbit.

Day 5: Questions and Variables Essential Question: What is the difference between a question and a testable question?

Scale for understanding: (4) Highly Proficient ** (3) Proficient I can complete all of the task at a 3 and identify situations in other classes and the real-world where it would be appropriate to use the scientific method I can teach the tasks at a 3 to a friend or family member and explain my thinking I can identify and explain all parts of the scientific method (observation/question, research, hypothesis, experiment, collect/analyze data, conclusion and variables) I can work through the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings using details from the lab (2) Partially Proficient (1) Minimally Proficient I can identify and explain most of the steps of the scientific method I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment but I struggle when asked to explain my findings With help from the teacher, I can identify and explain the parts of the scientific method With help from the teacher, I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings

Prediction To make a guess about the future based on the past.

Coke V. Diet Coke What do you observe about each of the cans of Coke and tub of water? (3 total, Qualitative or Quantitative) What’s a question that we can ask and test? It has to be testable and not include an opinion What do you predict will happen? Write down what you observe about the cans of Coke as we test them.

Define: Testable Question Based on the Coke V. Diet Coke activity what do believe the definition to ‘Testable Question’ to be?

Testable Question A question that leads to an investigation and does not include an opinion. Ex – What type of frog visit Lake Powell during the summer? Not an Example – Which frog is the prettiest?

Practice: Orange, to peel or not to peel, that is the question…. Write down at least 3 observations (qualitative and quantitative) about the orange, the peeled orange and the water What is a TESTABLE QUESTION we can ask and test? What do you predict will happen? Write down what you observe during the test. What did happen?

Introduction of Variables Variables are changed or measured in an experiment Independent Variable – Changed or manipulated by the scientist Dependent Variable – Measured. Its what is affected by the independent variable Controls – What stays the same, never changes.

Practice Coke V. Diet Coke Independent Variable (IV) – Dependent Variable (DV) – Control(s) – Orange V. Peeled Orange Control(s)-

Review: Ticket out What is a testable question? (4) Highly Proficient ** (3) Proficient I can complete all of the task at a 3 and identify situations in other classes and the real-world where it would be appropriate to use the scientific method I can teach the tasks at a 3 to a friend or family member and explain my thinking I can identify and explain all parts of the scientific method (observation/question, research, hypothesis, experiment, collect/analyze data, conclusion and variables) I can work through the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings using details from the lab (2) Partially Proficient (1) Minimally Proficient I can identify and explain most of the steps of the scientific method I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment but I struggle when asked to explain my findings With help from the teacher, I can identify and explain the parts of the scientific method With help from the teacher, I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings What is a testable question? What are the two types of observations? Where are you at on the scale and why? What do you need to do to move on the scale? Remember, we just started, its ok to not know everything right now. Its not ok to not try to understand though Review: Ticket out

Day 6 and 7: Variable Practice and Hypothesis Writing Essential Question: How does your question, prediction and variables become your hypothesis?

Read and check for understanding Use the reading to further understand variables Complete the worksheet to demonstrate your understanding of variables.

Writing a Hypothesis and Collecting Data Notes

Scale for understanding: (4) Highly Proficient ** (3) Proficient I can complete all of the task at a 3 and identify situations in other classes and the real-world where it would be appropriate to use the scientific method I can teach the tasks at a 3 to a friend or family member and explain my thinking I can identify and explain all parts of the scientific method (observation/question, research, hypothesis, experiment, collect/analyze data, conclusion and variables) I can work through the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings using details from the lab (2) Partially Proficient (1) Minimally Proficient I can identify and explain most of the steps of the scientific method I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment but I struggle when asked to explain my findings With help from the teacher, I can identify and explain the parts of the scientific method With help from the teacher, I can work through the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment and explain my findings

Writing a Hypothesis Hypothesis – an IF…Then statement that identifies variables and gives your prediction 1st – If (Independent Variable) 2nd – Then (Dependent Variable) 3rd – Prediction 4th – Because (reason for your prediction) If….(IV)….Then….(DV)(Prediction)….Because…..

Hypothesis Examples If plants are watered with different types of liquid then plants watered with sugar water will grow taller than the other plants because it will provide more nutrients for the plant. If a diet coke and coke are placed in a container of water then the coke will sink because it is more dense.

Data Tables Headings (IV) Headings (DV) – distance Pennies 3 Pennies 6 Data/results

Line Graph Title Label (DV) Label (IV)

Bar Graph Label (DV) Label (IV)

Graphing Line Graph: Shows change over time Example: plant growth over time Bar Graph: Compares two or more things Example: number of pennies in each cup and the distance travelled

Implementing the scientific method Paper Airplanes Implementing the scientific method

The lab You will fly three different paper airplanes and record the distance they travel(meters) Your team needs to decide on the Independent variable that you will test. You will repeat the lab 3 times

Your Notebook Variables and Hypothesis: Sample Data Table Copier Paper IV (plane) Trial 1 (M) Trial 2 (M) Trial 3 (M) Mean Distance Travelled Copier Paper Graph Paper Lined Paper Variables and Hypothesis: IV: DV: Control: Hypothesis – IF __________ THEN ____________BECAUSE Create one that matches your variables. The trial columns should not change. Just the IV.

After the lab Create a triple bar graph displaying the results for each type of plane(you will have 9 bars in all) Write a detailed conclusion in PARAGRAPH form. IX. Conclusion -5pts. The conclusion should be in paragraph form and should have the following things present. The purpose or problem statement and hypothesis should be re- stated Evaluate if your hypothesis was supported or not The procedure should be briefly explained and the data should be briefly summarized The conclusion should be drawn from what your learned during the experiment Did the experiment go as planned? Why or why not? Suggest improvements or what you could do differently in the future to further your research Describe how this can be applied to real-life situations Distance Travelled Type of Plane T1 T2 T3 T1 T2 T3 T1 T2 T3 Plane1 Plan2 Plane 3

What Question Do You Have? Ask a testable question, design and implement an investigation

Your Task Over the next week you will develop a question that you can further investigate. You will design and implement an investigation based on your question You will then write a formal report of your findings.