Unit 9: Conceptualizing an Experiment

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

TOOLS & MATERIALS

TEACHING STRATEGIES

STANDARDS FROM MCREL STANDARDS

Standard 2.11: Understands the basis of scientific knowledge

Knows that scientific explanations must meet certain criteria to be considered valid (e.g., they must be consistent with experimental and observational evidence about nature, make accurate predictions about systems being studied, be logical, respect the rules of evidence, be open to criticism, report methods and procedures, make a commitment to making knowledge public)

Standard 2.12: Understands the nature of scientific inquiry

Understands the use of hypotheses in science (e.g., selecting and narrowing the focus of data, determining additional data to be gathered; guiding the interpretation of data)

Designs and conducts scientific investigations (e.g., formulates testable hypotheses; identifies and clarifies the method, controls, and variables; organizes, displays, and analyzes data; revises methods and explanations; presents results; receives critical response from others)

Uses technology (e.g., hand tools, measuring instruments, calculators, computers) and mathematics (e.g., measurement, formulas, charts, graphs) to perform accurate scientific investigations and communications

Knows that scientists conduct investigations for a variety of reasons (e.g., to discover new aspects of the natural world, to explain recently observed phenomena, to test the conclusions of prior investigations, to test the predictions of current theories)

Standard 2.13: Understands the scientific enterprise

Understands that science involves different types of work in many different disciplines (e.g., scientists in different disciplines ask different questions, use different methods of investigation, and accept different types of evidence to support their explanations; many scientific investigations require the contributions of individuals from different disciplines; new disciplines of science, such as geophysics and biochemistry, often emerge at the interface of older disciplines)

Standard 3.1: Understands and knows how to analyze chronological relationships and patterns

Knows how to develop picture time lines of their own lives or their family's history

Understands patterns of change and continuity in the historical succession of related events

Standard 3.2: Understands the historical perspective

Knows how to evaluate the credibility and authenticity of historical sources

Standard 21.1: Understands and applies the basic principles of presenting an argument

Understands that when people try to prove a point, they may at times select only the information that supports it and ignore the information that contradicts it

Understands that to be convincing, an argument must have both true statements and valid connections among them

Evaluates the overall effectiveness of complex arguments

Standard 21.4: Understands and applies basic principles of hypothesis testing and scientific inquiry

Presents alternative explanations and conclusions to one's own experiments and those of others

Critiques procedures, explanations, and conclusions in one's own experiments and those of others

Gathers and analyzes field data using spatial sampling (e.g., place a transparent grid of squares on maps to count whether two characteristics such as corn production and hogs that are hypothesized to be spatially related coexist within the grid cells)

Standard 21.5: Applies basic trouble-shooting and problem-solving techniques

Selects the most appropriate strategy or alternative for solving a problem

Examines different alternatives for resolving local problems and compares the possible consequences of each alternative

Represents a problem accurately in terms of resources, constraints, and objectives

Provides summation of the effectiveness of problem-solving techniques

Reframes problems when alternative solutions are exhausted

Evaluates the feasibility of various solutions to problems; recommends and defends a solution

Standard 21.6: Applies decision-making techniques

Secures factual information needed to evaluate alternatives

Predicts the consequences of selecting each alternative

Makes decisions based on the data obtained and the criteria identified

Standard 22: Working With Others

Contributes to the overall effort of a group

Displays effective interpersonal communication skills