1. Catalyst Read the following scenario and answer the accompanying questions: – Plants of the same type and height were placed in the pots. The plants received the same amount of water and light, but one plant was placed under red light, and the other plant was placed under green light. After two weeks, the height of the two plants was measured. 1.What is the independent variable? Dependent variable? Explain why. 2.Name two constants mentioned in this experiment.

2. The Nature of Science: Tricky Tracks Ms. Klinkhachorn September 21, 2009

3. Observations Data that is collected.. – Using the five senses Sight Smell Touch Hearing Taste – With scientific instruments Scale Ruler Computer and software

4. Qualitative vs Quantitative Qualitative – Subjective description (can be an opinion) – Example: The food tastes good, is yellow, and smells nice. Quantitative – Objective description (clear-cut, measured) – Example: The dog has 4 legs and 2 ears. It weighs 38 pounds.

5. What Do You Observe?

6. Instructions 1.At your tables, examine the set of tracks given to you. – Share the sheets and do not bend them. – Work silently and individually. Participation points will be taken from your grade if this is not followed. 2.Think about and write down what you observe and what you believe is happening. Be specific and detailed. 3.Then discuss your thoughts with others at your table and record their thoughts on your paper. – Do not work with people at the other tables. – Keep your volume level down.

7. How to write this up… Track SetWhat do I observe? What do I think happened? What do others say? 1 2 3

8. Include.. What do I observe? – 2 quantitative, 2 qualitative observations What do I think happened? – Tell me a story based on what you see. If you watched this live, what would be happening? What do others say? – Write down others observations and stories – Exchange ideas

9. Ending Questions 1.How did your thoughts about what happened in each scenario change as you were given more information? Explain and describe using your observations. 2.Why do you think answers varied from person to person? 3.Is there any one correct answer based on what we saw? Explain. 4.How could you design an experiment to find out what these tracks actually mean?