Understanding Scientific Inquiry - Science and Scientific Method Overview

1. Class: BiologyUnit/Topic: Understanding scientific inquiry and ability to conduct inquiry (Scientific Method) Melissa, Jennifer, Dana, Nick

2. What is science? • Science is “The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation and theoretical explanation of natural phenomenon.” (American Heritage Dictionary 2009) • In journal write your definition for each of the above terms (i.e. observation)

3. Learning Goals • I will evaluate a scientific investigating that include testable questions, verifiable hypothesis, and appropriate variables to explore new phenomena or verify the experimental results of others. • I will analyze and interpret data (NGSS practice 4), Constructing explanations (NGSS practice 6), obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information (NGSS practice 8)

4. Vocab • Vocab key terms glossary and flash cards • Science Hypothesis • Experiment Identify • Observation Predict • Scientific Theory dependent Variable   • Independent Variable  Control Variable • http://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/introducing_flow_hs.html

5. Checks (15 minutes total) http://www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/lessons/chec.lab.pdf • In groups of four take one envelope. “Don’t open it yet” • Draw out four random checks without looking • Try to place in order and create a reasoning for why these four checks were written (five minutes) • Draw out four more and add to original story line (five minutes) • Draw two more checks out and add to story line 5 minutes)

6. http://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/pdfs/alvarez_hs.pdfshort versionhttp://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/pdfs/alvarez_woflow.pdf long version • Article read go through and highlight all of the words or phrases that indicate Alvarez was doing science. For instance, you might begin by highlighting "looking for independent verification.“ (8 minutes) • With a partner, discuss (2 minutes)

7. Our Scientific Methodhttp://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/pdfs/complex_flow_handout.pdf

8. What did you highlight • Discuss and number each highlight as a class, and place in the appropriate circle on our sheet.

9. Exit Slip (formative assessment) • Return to your original definitions of science. Would you now make any changes? Discuss.  • (formative option for homework) • Give alternative article on Discovery of DNA structure • http://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/pdfs/dna_simple.pdf short version • http://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/pdfs/dna_complex.pdf long version