Learning Goal

1. Learning Goal • Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in multiple contexts, at multiple scales.

2. Some Common Misconceptions about Photosynthesis & Respiration Concept 1: Matter disappears during decomposition of organisms in the soil. Concept 2: Photosynthesis as Energy: Photosynthesis provides energy for uptake of nutrients through roots which builds biomass. No biomass built through photosynthesis alone.

3. Thinking about: • Tools: use multiple forms of assessment • Need to move from: • ‘what questions’ to ‘why’ questions • Use data: inform instructional design

4. Assessment Design • Multiple iterations/versions of the carbon cycle problem • Pretest, midterm, final with additional formative assessments during class • Administered during instruction

5. Multiple choice question (pre-post) • The majority of actual weight (dry biomass) gained by plants as they progress from seed to adult plant comes from which one of the following substances? • a. Particle substances in soil that are take up by plant roots. (15%). • b. Molecules in the air that enter through holes in the plant leaves (4%). • c. Substances dissolved in water taken up directly by plant roots. (28%). • d. Energy from the sun (29%). • N=138

6. Radish Problem (formative) • Experimental Setup: • Weighed out 3 batches of radish seeds each weighing 1.5 g. • Experimental treatments: • 1. Seeds placed on moistened paper towels in LIGHT • 2. Seeds placed on moistened paper towels in DARK • 3. Seeds not moistened (left DRY) placed in light

7. Radish problem (2) • After 1 week, all plant material was dried in an oven overnight (no water left) and plant biomass was measured in grams. • Predict the biomass of the plant material in the various treatments. • Water, light • Water, dark • No water, light

8. Results: Weight of Radish Seedlings 1.46 g 1.63 g 1.20 g Write an explanation about the results.