Over the last 500 years humans have gone from seeing a man in the moon to seeing a man on the moon. This phenomenal advance in collective learning has taken place thanks in large part to a group of strategies which have come to be referred to as The Scientific Method. If humankind has made so much progress by using the Scientific Method, then why not teach all our children to use it at an early age rather than waiting until high school or college to teach a few who are fast-tracked into science and technology careers. If we have made this much progress with a few humans using these strategies, then what will our collective learning curve look like if we are all trained to make science discoveries and/or to appreciate the discoveries of others?

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

LESSON PLAN TEMPLATE FOR THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

I. PRELAB
(1 or 2 45 minute periods)

PROBLEM: The “Problem” is a question that can be answered by doing an experiment.

The Problem & the Lesson Plan: The Problem can be introduced or elicited in many different ways including:

1. A teacher demonstration
2. Teacher reads to class
3. A disparate event
4. A class discussion
5. A question posed by a student
6. A logical progression from a previous experiment
7. An assigned reading
8. Current events
9. Student observations
10. Student drawings

HYPOTHESIS: The Hypothesis answers the question posed by the Problem. It is a prediction that is based on evidence: “I think this will happen because…..” It is a cause and effect statement that must be justified by previously known facts.

The Hypothesis and the Lesson Plan:

1. Each student should write down a response to the question posed in the problem and defend that response with evidence.

Idea: I think that………
Evidence: I’ve seen …….

2. Students should discuss their hypotheses in pairs or groups.
3. Students should write their hypotheses in an If….then…..because format.

MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES: Students must plan in detail what they will need to carry out the experiment and what steps they will take. They must identify independent, dependent, and constant variables.

Materials, Procedures and the Lesson Plan: There are several ways to approach this part of the experiment:

1. The teacher demonstates how to do the experiment.
2. The teacher gives the students a detailed list of directions.
3. The teacher gives the students the materials and has the students figure out how to do the experiment.
4. The students themselves design the procedure and write up a list of materials that they will need.


THE LAB (1 period)

During the laboratory experiment, students carry out the procedure and collect the data.
The method of recording the data should have been planned in the Prelab under “Procedures”.

The Lab and the Lesson Plan: It is best to complete the lab in one period. The sequence is:

1. Give out the materials.
2. Follow the procedure.
3. Record the data.
4. Take back the materials.
5. Clean up

POST LAB (2 to 4 Periods)

ANALYSIS OF DATA: Students must organize their data into diagrams, charts,tables, graphs, etc. so that their observations are easier to understand and interpret.

Analysis of Data and the Lesson Plan: Data is shared as a whole class. Each group can write their results on the board and a class average can be calculated. The teacher can elicit and write on the board observations that students make about the data. Data should then be interpreted in writing. A statement should be made about what happened.

CONCLUSION: In the Conclusion section of the investigation, several important topic smust be addressed:
ß Evaluation of the original hypothesis based on the data.
ß Explanation of results
ß Identification of sources of error
ß New predictions and hypotheses
ß Questions and recommendations for further study.

The Conclusion and the Lesson Plan: The Conclusion part of the Lab can done in pairs, groups, and/or as a whole-class discussion. Students should begin by repeating their hypothesis. Conclusions can be prepared using T-charts, Cause and Effect chains, etc.

VOCABULARY AND IMPORTANT CONCEPTS: Students identify important vocabulary words and concepts which should be explained at the end of the laboratory report.

Vocabulary and the Lesson Plan: Students can prepare a glossary as small group or whole group. Words can be organized into webs.

RESEARCH/REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE: Students read about concepts related to their investigation and write a short research paper on the topic.

Research and the Lesson Plan: Students can use T charts and other organizers to organize data into a report. Comparison/Contrast reports are particularly useful in supporting an investigation.

THE LAB REPORT: The Report includes the following sections (in the order)

1. Cover
2. Introduction
3. Problem
4. Hypothesis (Written as an If…..then….because statement)
5. Materials
6. Procedure
7. Results
8. Conclusion
9. Vocabulary and Concepts
10. Review of the Literature
11. Bibliography

The Lab Report and the Lesson Plan: The Lab Report can be written in class and/or at home.

HOMEWORK

Homework assignments in the textbook that support the Investigation are given during prelab, lab, and post lab assignments. Homework from the textbook is written in the Science Journal. Parts of the Lab Report are assigned as they are completed.

ASSESSMENT

Students are assessed daily on Scientific Communication, Lab Safety, and Laboratory Techniques. All parts of the lab are written first in the Science Journal. The Journal is rated on a 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 based on completeness, neatness, and organization. Lab Reports are rated on a 0 to 100 score. Points are taken off for missing or incomplete parts, and extra points are given for extra effort. Quizzes and Exams are given periodically to monitor the students understanding of content objectives.
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