Today's Quote:
'If we surrendered to earth's intelligence we could rise up rooted like trees.' ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
Recap:
Monday we discussed the scientific method as it has been taught since students entered school and I pointed out that while that method is valid, it is not the only method and we teach it like it is the only one. Most students realized that Marcos was the correct one in our "Dong Science"openers and that the method you use depends upon your goal. For example, if my goal is to determine why I see and hear more frogs at night out on our farm than in the daytime, I would have to design and use an observational method that doesn't interfere with how the frogs live. If my goal is to build a new type of alternative energy car, then I would use the engineering design process instead of the scientific method. I introduced the classes to the SELFIES pneumonic. (lecture notes in purple)
The Process of science: Take SELFIES!
Start with an observation or question. Most of the methods begin this way. For example, I saw a movie where the dog could fly and I wondered, can my own dog fly?
Establish the question. We call this the CLAIM and it is written as a statement. For example, "My dog will fly if I pet it three times.
Look into the topic. This is something most science instruction gets wrong. Scientists and researchers spend 80% of their time doing research before they ever develop a hypothesis.
Formulate a hypothesis (and null hypothesis) (If:then, logical, testable
Investigate the hypothesis We said that a hypothesis is an underlying (hypo) thought or idea(thesis) about why something is going to happen and it must be able to pass the three tests of being logical, being an If/Then statement, and must be testable. If it fails even one of these tests, it's not a hypothesis. Keeping to our example, "If I pet my dog three times, then it will grow wings and fly. It IS an If/Then Statment, It IS testable, but it IS NOT logical.
Additionally, in order to combat BIAS, scientists formulate a NULL hypothesis which is the exact opposite of their hypothesis.
We also said that scientists don't stop to keep things nice and neat during the experimental phase of an investigation. It's ok to keep notes as long as you keep everything during the investigational phase. AFTER the investigation is done, scientists will begin to organize data into a nice neat format.
Examine the data- draw conclusions, analysis, perform more trials (how many?) This is when you organize your data and analyze it for patterns that might support your hypothesis and perform additional trials. Scientists perform as many trials as their time and budget allow them to do.
Share your results (why?) Finally we share our results to allow other experts and peers to review our data and see if they can replicate the results found. If they can, then our data has been validated. If they can't then our data has been invalidated.
Brain Bender:
Shadow stepped off the street and turned into the Secret Service building. He got in the elevator, inserted his security card, pressed the button for floor 36 and dropped to government intelligence headquarters. Shadow got off the elevator and strolled to the window while he waited for hs next assignment. Shadow stared out the window watching the little ant-like pedestrians and cars crawl along the streets below.He was enjoying the day; the sky was a royal blue and not a cloud in sight. Suddenly there was a flash of brilliant light. Shadow jumped back and quickly realized what had happened. What was so strange about the window?
Agenda:
(This should be written in your planner every day)
1. Go over graphing homework
2. Review Power Point What is science? What isn't Science? What looks like science, but really isn't science. (you were to view this and take notes at home so I will hit the high points only. Student lead.
3. Discussion of citation and evidence. What is EVIDENCE?
4. Students who didn't take the test will have 10 minutes to do it.
5. Discussion.
Homework: ALL GRADE LEVELS:
3. Watch this video on Calculating percent error. (MOE= margin of error) Discussion Thursday and Friday.
4. Where Did Science Come From? Read through this article.
NOTE: I will be out Wednesday for a county Inservice. You will give the substitute the respect they deserve.
6th Grade Honor's Earth Space Science:
6th Grade Class Information and Syllabus
Unit Essential Question:
What are the basic ideas behind the process of science?
Key Learning Statement:
Science is a process based upon observational and experimental studies using scientific methods to develop or explore scientific theories or laws.
7th Grade Honors Life Science
7th Grade Class Information and Syllabus
Unit Essential Question: What methods do scientists use to answer questions and solve problems in the natural world?
Key Learning Statement: Scientific inquiry involves forming a testable hypothesis and developing a valid investigation using scientific skills and tools to determine if the hypothesis is supported or not supported. Data from scientific investigations helps scientists explain natural events through the use of scientific theories and scientific laws.
8th Grade Honors Physical Science
Unit Essential Question: What is required to carry out a valid scientific investigation?
Key Learning Statement: A valid scientific investigation uses prior knowledge, observations, and empirical evidence to test a hypothesis and draw conclusions that must be validated through repetition and replication.
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