Overview and Background: Unit: Science As Inquiry

 Name:  Amy Schroeder

 

Cheney Middle School : Grades 7-8

 

Title:

 Science as Inquiry

Topics:

 Scientific investigation

Time Frame:

Throughout the year

Start Date:

-

 

Other Designers:

 

Summary:
 Students will design and conduct a scientific investigation to answer a question.  Students will devise an original hypothesis and design an experiment to test that hypothesis.

 

Print Materials Needed: Science textbook

Resources:

 

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:

 

Notes:

 

 

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

 

State:

KS

Title:

Science

Standard(s):

Kansas state science standards

 

Understandings:  Answers can be attained through investigations.

 

 

Essential Questions: What is scientific inquiry?

How do you use scientific inquiry to find the answers to problems?

Did this design work?

How could this investigation/experiment be improved?

 

 

Knowledge and Skills:

K: Students will know:

q       Scientific inquiry is a way to find the answers to problems.

q       How to perform a scientific investigation.

q       Performing multiple trials validates an investigation.

 

 

S: Students will be able to:

q       Design an effective investigation.

q       Conduct an investigation.

q       Record observations dealing with their investigation.

q       Identify variables in their investigation.

q       Analyze data.

q       Determine if their design measured what it was supposed to.

q       Devise a list of questions that were raised as a result of their investigation.

 

 

 

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

 

Assessment Summary: Students will work in small cooperative teams to design and conduct a scientific investigation.  Students will design an experiment based on a question that can be tested

EX. Are there certain factors that will allow plants to grow better than others? (amount of water, amount of sunlight, fertilizer, etc.)

Student Directions:

1.        Students will form groups of 3-4.

2.        Students will come up with a problem that they think will affect plant growth.

3.        Students will devise a hypothesis about their problem.

4.        Check with the teacher to make sure hypothesis is testable.

5.        Design an experiment to test that hypothesis.

6.        Check with the teacher to make sure experiment goes with their hypothesis.

7.        Conduct the experiment.

8.        Collect data and make observations.

9.        Repeat the experiment.

10.     Analyze data by making graphs, charts, etc.

11.     Analyze the effectiveness of the investigation.

 

Rubric:

 

Other assessment evidence to be collected: Lab reports Graphs/charts

 

 

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

 

Learning Activities: What sequence of teaching and learning experiences will be used? 

 1. Hook: Brainstorm a list of ideas that they think can be answered by performing a scientific investigation.  Have a discussion to determine which ideas can be answered and which ideas cannot be answered using scientific investigations.

2. Overview and Expectation: Discuss the steps to scientific investigations.  Share essential questions.  Go over investigation procedure and expectations with the students.

3. Teaching Activities, Assessments & Rethinking opportunities in order:

  Students will break into small groups and come up with a variable they would like to test.

  Check and get teachers okay.

  Develop a hypothesis.  Check and get teachers okay.

  Design an experiment that will test their hypothesis.  Check with the teacher to make sure the hypothesis and experiment are related.

  Conduct the experiment and collect all the necessary data.

  Repeat the experiment to show validity.

  Compile all the data into charts, graphs, etc.

  Analyze the data.  Was the hypothesis supported/not supported?  Did this design work?  Was the question answered?  How could this experiment be improved?  What other questions could be investigated?