Grade Level(s): 2nd 3rd
Subject(s): Science
Duration: 45 to 60 minute session
Description: Students will view the scientific method podcast then get in groups and demonstrate the scientific method by conducting an experiment.
Goals: Students will:
1) Be able to demonstrate knowledge of the scientific process by conducting an experiment
2)
Benchmark Objectives: Students will:
Science
Raise questions about the natural world, investigate them individually and in teams through free exploration and systematic investigations, and generate appropriate explanations based on those explorations.
Compare the observations made by different groups using the same tools and seek reasons to explain the differences across groups.
Materials:
Part One: computer, projector, internet access, expo marker, whiteboard, Scientific Method Podcast (copy and past into your
URL)
http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=225206&title=Scientific_Method_Podcast
PartTwo:
Cup of water
Eyedroppers
Paper towels or petri dish
Penny
Science journal for data collection
Calculator
Procedure:
Part One:
Step 1: Teachers will need to set up their projectors and computer.
Step 2: Introduce the scientific method by showing students the podcast created by Alison Dunne.
Step 3: Once students have viewed the scientific method podcast review with students.
Step 4: Begin Part Two
Part Two:
1) Students conduct the experiment: How many drops of water can fit on the surface of a penny?
(You may want to type up an experiment sheet with the following information.)
Have students get into groups. Pass out the experiment sheet with the following information.
1. Place the penny on a flat surface (paper towel or petri dish).
2. Fill the dropper with water from the cup.
3. Carefully drop water from the dropper onto the penny one drop at a time, counting each drop.
4. Record the number of drops fit on the penny in your science journal (Remember to create a chart).
5. Repeat the experiment with the same penny two more times, recording the final number of drops each time.
6. Average the number of drops by using the following example below:
Example
24+24+32 = 80 80 divided by 3 = 26.6
2) When students have completed the experiment, collect data averages from all the students and write up on the whiteboard.
3) Review results and the scientific method process.
Informal Assessment:
Review student science journals for scientific method understanding and completion.
