1. 8-29-17 Scientific Theory vs. Scientific Law
Lesson Objective: I can distinguish between scientific theory and scientific law

2. Do Now: Answer the following questions in your Science Notebook
What is a scientific theory?
Scientific theory is an explanation of observations or events based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations.
What is one example of a scientific theory?
Sample answers include: Cell theory, theory of plate tectonics, Big Bang theory, theory of evolution by natural selection
What does a scientific law do?
A scientific aw describes a pattern or event in nature that is always true.
What is one example of a scientific law?
Sample answers include: Law of conservation of mass, the Sun will rise again tomorrow.

3. Write this down in your agenda:
Quiz on Friday, 9/1/17
HW for Tonight: Prepare for quiz on Friday, 9/1/17
7th Period: Write an apology letter to the guest teacher, Mr. Pettigrew, in regards to your behavior yesterday.

4. HW Review: Outcomes of Scientific Investigations/ Scientific Theory and Scientific Law worksheet
Trade & Grade: Only mark answers that are wrong, leave correct answers alone.
Concept Map: (in any order) technology, new materials, possible explanations SL ST

5. Direct Instruction
Is the following true? If a hypothesis is supported, it becomes a theory, and if a theory is proven, it becomes a law.
Correct answer: False. Laws and theories are completely different types of scientific knowledge with different purposes, but they are both supported by solid empirical evidence.
Watch the TedEd video: What’s the Difference between a Scientific Law and Theory?
Pay attention to the following:
What scientific theories explain.
What scientific laws describe.
Similarities between scientific theories and laws.

6. Video Review: Differences between Theories and Laws
What do scientific theories explain?
What do scientific laws describe?
What are similarities between scientific theories and laws?

7. Activity: Theories & Laws Game
In assigned groups of 3-4, your group will be given cards in a zipper bag.
You will then place the three labels (“Law”, “Theory”, and “Both”) onto your desks. Don’t lay out the rest of the cards yet, keep them in the zipper bag.
Wait quietly until all groups are ready.

8. Theories & Laws Game Instructions
You will be playing a game against one another. Groups will attempt to place the statements under the correct headings. The first group that can correctly place the statements wins.
When a group is done, 1 member will write their group name on the Smart board.
Mr. Santos will walk around to check group answers in the order listed on the board.
If a group is not completely correct, one member of the group must erase their number from the board and the group will fix their answers. When the group believes their answers are corrected, one member will re-write their number at the end of the list.
The game will continue until the top 3 groups are identified.

9. Game Answer Key: copy this in your science notebook
Scientific Theory
Both
Scientific Law
Explains how a natural phenomenon works
Often explains more related phenomena over time
Based on the results of many investigations
Can be modified if new evidence refutes the current statement
Supported by a large amount of empirical evidence
Widely accepted by the majority of scientists within a given field of study
Cannot be validated by a single person
Describes a natural phenomenon or relationship that always occurs under specific conditions
Often can be represented by a mathematical Formula
Provides no explanation as to why a phenomenon occurs
Often becomes more limited over time