Problem on the Way to Mars

From Hassard, J. (1999) Science as Inquiry. Good Year Books, Parrisany, NJ

How we solve complex problems through teamwork is an important part of science. Today my classes explored a problem where they were astronauts stranded on the moon's surface. Students had several "recovered" items that they could use for their survival. The student teams had to determine what objects were worth keeping and what was not useful for their survival. The decisions to be made required both observation of the items and inferences about how they would be useful on the moon's surface.

From Hassard, J. (1999) Science as Inquiry. Good Year Books, Parrisany, NJ

This exercise is useful in helping students to understand that not all science is conducted in a lab or through an experiment. Useful information can be gained by making observations, engaging in imaginative discussion, and solving complex, multistep problems.

Homework Tonight:
A3 Brief Constructed Response due Friday
A4 Quiz Online due Friday

Upcoming Dates:
Unit Test Wednesday

Being Part of an Experiment in Education

Today the students were introduced to the Concord Consortium's study that involves our laboratory in the SmartGraphs program pilot. I did my best to explain how this type of investigation relates to what we've been learning in class. The following is a recap:

The students are the experimental group because they are among a few to use the SmartGraph program pilot. They will be compared to other students in similar Pennsylvania schools (a control group) that are not working on SmartGraphs, but covering similar topics. The SmartGraphs software and hardware are the independent variables. To evaluate whether SmartGraphs is an effective learning tool, the students will take pre-tests and post-tests. The scores on the tests will be the dependent variable. What will the conclusion be? Well, that will depend on the results of the pilot.

Hopefully, the SmartGraphs program will be a success and students throughout the United States will benefit from the investigation taking place in our science laboratory. My experiences with the SmartGraphs program so far has exceeded my expectations and I look forward to the students working with this pilot program.


Parents who would like to learn more about SmartGraphs can read the letter from the researchers.

  Homework Tonight:
A1 Homework: Online Activity
A2 Homework: SpongeBob SquarePants Variables

Upcoming Dates: 

Scientists are Skeptics

Patterson "Big Foot" Video. Available on YouTube: http://youtu.be/IJjUt2sXo5o

Scientists are skeptics because they are doubtful and do not readily accept ideas or theories. To illustrate this point, the class examined the Patterson Big Foot video which is available on the internet. The students discussed what would make the big foot story credible. The described the evidence that they would need to affirm an understanding about the existence of big foot. The students were also introduced to the methods by which scientists classify new ideas into scientific theories and scientific laws.

 

Homework Tonight:
A1 Homework: Online Activity due 9/6/11 or complete in class on9/7/11
A2 Homework: SpongeBob SquarePants Variables due Tuesday or Wednesday during class

Upcoming Dates: 

Footprints and science problem solving

Footprints through inquiry and problem solving.

Today the students went further in their exploration of scientific problem solving by considering observation and developing inferences. The footprints were part of an activity that was published in the 1960's. However, the content is very relevant because it sparks questioning, observation and developing hypotheses.

Pictures from the internet used in class.

Want to learn more? Try searching the web for more pictures like those shown in class!

Homework Tonight:

None

Upcoming Dates: 


A1 Homework: Online Activity due 9/6/11 @ midnight
A2 Homework: SpongeBob SquarePants Variables due Tuesday (end of class)

Some classes have not yet received these assignments.

Science Process Skills

Picture from today's activity.

In class today, the students and I focused our attention on the way we learn information in science. We used a picture that I found on the internet. The students made a list of things that  they could tell me about the picture. From that list,. we were able to describe the differences between observations and inferences. It is obvious that the students in the picture are on a field trip. According to the website, the students are getting onto the bus after a field trip to the Colorado National Monument.

Today we also started to setup the science notebook. Students copied the first set of notes into the notebook. You can find the notes on the website under notes and learning section of the unit resources. No homework was assigned tonight, but assignments are available online for students and parents.

Homework Tonight:

None

Upcoming Dates: 
 

A1 Homework: Online Activity due 9/6/11 @ midnight
A2 Homework: SpongeBob SquarePants Variables due Tuesday (end of class)