Making the Scientific Method Come Alive!

Students are engaged in project-based activities that integrate academic class work and technology.

Student Objectives:
Students will:
•Work in pairs using limited resource materials provided to design and build a
car.
•Learn cooperatively by developing problem solving and critical thinking skills.
•Learn how to work with limited resources in obtaining their goals.
•Incorporate technology in making the scientific method come alive as they work
and learn across the curriculum.

Materials Needed

3 x 5 Carded paper
plastic straws
1x1 cube
poster boards for ramps
Flip Video cameras
Computer with Power Point software

Procedures:
Step 1: Teacher will demonstrate how to safely hold a camera, import video into powerpoint software, edit the movie, and allow each student to take a practice video with the camera. The technology teacher works with the science teacher to reinforce the steps of the Scientific Method for science projects.

Step 2: Teacher will pair students in groups of two or three to work on given activity. Teacher will instruct students as to what their job will be.

Student Directions: (1) Identify a problem or question in constructing a ramp using one sheet of poster board only. One ramp will be 30 degrees incline at the back; the second ramp will be 45 degrees incline at the back. Construct a hypothesis using only the provided materials. Conduct experiments, graph and collect data to support conclusions drawn.

Their responsibility is to create a car that will roll down the ramp carrying the 1 x 1 cube. Students are given a time limit of 30 minutes to build their car and 20 minutes to test and modify their design.

Each team is to present their findings documenting their experiment with digital/video camera and a computer. The class presentations are presented in the last 50 minutes of class.

Step 3: The teacher is not allowed to help just circulate around, watch, and listen to the minds problem-solving.

The teams are taken to an area that is clear and allowed to have a race off. They document their results with digital cameras and make a disclosure of their results in a powerpoint presentation before the class.