MSP- Summer 2017-Day # 1 Dr. Queen Ogbomo- TTU July 11, 2017

What is the Nature of science? Before delving into how to plan for science fairs, It is important to remind teachers that it is important to teach students about the NOS. Teachers what are your views about the nature of science and is there a single definition?

The Nature of Science To To be scientifically literate, science students should have deeper understandings of science that studying the Nature of Science (NOS) provides

NOS Example Write an account of what you think happened based on what you see here.

NOS Example Continued Has your story Changed? How does your story change?

NOS Example continued What do you observe? What do you infer? Compare what you think now to your earlier written accounts.

Some Aspects of the NOS Scientific knowledge is tentative. Scientific knowledge has basis in empirical evidence. There is a difference between data and evidence. Scientific laws and theories are separate kinds of scientific knowledge. Scientific knowledge is based upon observations and inferences. Scientific knowledge is heavily dependent upon theories.

Some Aspect of the NOS Scientific knowledge is created from human imagination and logical reasoning. Scientific knowledge can be obtained by a variety of scientific methods. Scientific observations are inherently subjective based on interpretations. Science is a human endeavor influenced by society and culture.

What all Teachers need to know “Avoid the mistaken impression that there is one distinctive approach common to all Science- a single “scientific” method—(NRC, 2012 in Haysom, 2013). What is your definition of the scientific method or how have you described it to your students? Does it always follow a linear process such as obser

Does the scientific method always follow a linear process?? Of; Observation Formulation of hypothesis, experiment design collection of results and Development of conclusions?

Time to Test it out How would you proceed to investigating the different bouncing balls before you? What would you think of first? In your group, come up with your process of investigation. What is your plan of investigation? Did you follow the known scientific method? If not how did you approach it? Teacher should provide various bouncing balls for students to investigate Teachers need to know that a single scientific method does not work in all cases. Though it is important to learn the science process skills, it should be learned in context of what is being investigated.

Teaching Students the art of scientific problem solving through Science fair Projects Science fair is a scientific activity that promotes scientific thinking. It should be ”careful and deliberate” It involves taking things apart and putting them back together. It involves simple explanations of theories. It should challenge students to solve problems. It allows students to take ownership of their work. Science fair projects should start with the teacher introducing a problem

Getting started Teacher should introduce a problem. Give students a chance to solve it (in groups). Reflect on their procedures Compare what they did to how a scientist might proceed. Allow students to discuss the reliability of their procedures and if it can be repeated.

Your Turn In a group of 2 or 3 you will come up with a topic of interest or problem. Think of a catching title for your topic. Come up with a question or questions to guide your investigation. Employ a scientific method to investigate your topic. Collect data. Analyze your data and present your findings on a poster board by the 20th. Your work will be judged.

Generating Ideas Start by brainstorming ideas from the world around you. Generate a list of questions that might be able to answer. Determine if your questions are researchable. What kinds of problems do you encounter everyday that you will like to find a solution for? Remember in brainstorming there are not bad ideas. To get you started think your kitchen, TV, toys, the environment