Science: From Earth to Outer Space

Enduring Understanding Science basics such as safety, measurement, and the scientific method can be presented in relevant and meaningful ways to students.

Module Overview Come along with the astronauts of the space shuttle SLS-2, Columbia, and develop enduring understanding, essential questions, assessments, and teaching strategies when teaching lab safety, measurement, and the scientific method in secondary science classrooms.

Module Focus This module focuses on 3 key topics in any secondary science classroom: Lab safety Measurement Scientific Method CFB

Instructional Strategies Use several instructional strategies Research Discussion Brainstorming Presentation Experimentation CFB CFB

Essential Questions What safety rules should be followed in the science lab? What is the difference between mass and weight?

Essential Questions: How can mass and weight be measured? Why mass and weight must be measured differently? CFB CFB

Essential Questions What are some creative ways to present and assess the understanding of safety rules, measurement, and the scientific method to students? What is the purpose of the scientific method and what happens when it is not followed?

Brainstorm What lab rules do students need to know? Pause video and discuss. What lab rules do students need to know? What are some creative ways to assess their understanding? Restart video.

Suggested Presentation and Assessment What happens when one does not follow lab safety rules? Select a safety rule and create a vivid poster using Word. Poster requirements listed in supporting materials. Pause video and discuss. Read and discuss Safety in the Laboratory.

Measurement What is the difference between mass and weight? How can each one be measured? Pause video and discuss.

Discuss How will you assess student understanding of these concepts? CFB Pause video and discuss.

Explore Weight on other Planets. Assessment: Research Is your mass and weight the same on all of the planets in our solar system? What is your mass and weight on each of the planets in our solar system? Explore Weight on other Planets.

Present Presentation Ideas My Weight on Earth vs. Mars Presentation Ideas Create a presentation displaying the results of your research. Create a graph comparing results. Create a poster presenting the results of your research.

Watch a movie about Scientific Method. Brainstorm What is the purpose of the scientific method? What happens when it is not followed? Pause video and discuss. Watch a movie about Scientific Method.

Explore more about the scientific method in Supporting Material. Brainstorm What are some creative ways this topic can be presented to students? What are some creative ways to assess student understanding of this topic? Pause video and discuss. Explore more about the scientific method in Supporting Material.

See Featured Links for more on the concept of variables. Variable vs. Control What is a variable? See Featured Links for more on the concept of variables.

What is control and its relationship to the variable? Variable vs. Control What is control and its relationship to the variable? See Featured Links for more on the concept of variables.

Observe What is the significance of the variable and control in the scientific method? Pause video and discuss.

Scientific Method The scientific method helps us systematically state, organize, and solve problems in an unbiased manner. CFB

Steps of the Scientific Method State the problem

Steps of the Scientific Method State the problem Form a hypothesis

Steps of the Scientific Method State the problem Form a hypothesis Conduct experiment

Steps of the Scientific Method State the problem Form a hypothesis Conduct experiment Collect Data

Steps of the Scientific Method State the problem Form a hypothesis Conduct experiment Collect Data Draw Conclusions

See examples of sample lab write-up requirements. Suggested Assessment Use all steps of the scientific method to write up a formal lab report using a word processor. Perform the lab and present their findings to the class. CFB CFB See examples of sample lab write-up requirements.

Rules What rules should be followed in the science lab? CFB Learn more about Lab Safety Rules and the expectations of behavior in a laboratory setting.

Safety Equipment Safety equipment is designed to ensure the well being of everyone in the lab.

Specialized Equipment Each piece of laboratory equipment has a specific function and purpose besides helping to keep you safe. What specialized equipment is in use in your lab? CFB

Learn more about lab safety for science classroom. Labeling Labeling samples collected in an experiment is part of lab safety. Labeling all samples collected in an experiment also helps researchers ensure accurate data. Learn more about lab safety for science classroom.

Mass and Weight What is the difference between mass and weight? Mass is the amount of matter in an object and it is constant throughout the universe. Weight is the measure of the force due to gravity and is different according to the gravity asserted on it.

How can each be measured? Mass and Weight How can each be measured? Mass is measured using a balance Weight is measured using a spring scale.

Measurement in Microgravity Microgravity requires specialized methods and equipment for measurement and other scientific experiments. Pause video and discuss. Explore How Microgravity Works.

Summary During this module, you identified some creative ways to present and assess the understanding of safety rules, measurement, and the scientific method to students. CFB

Summary You used several instructional strategies: Brainstorming Research Discussion Presentation Experimentation CFB

Summary You used authentic assessment in the: Presentation of research. Presentation of experimental data. Implementation of the scientific method. CFB