Welcome to PSC 1210 Earth and Space Science for K-8 Teachers

Goals of PSC 1210  Understand important concepts in Earth and Space Science  Develop science process skills  Appreciate and apply the scientific method  Learn using techniques you will apply as a teacher

Some Science Terminology  scientific fact – specific, verifiable information *Sulfur is a yellow mineral. *Sulfur is a yellow mineral. *Granite is an igneous rock.  hypothesis – possible action and/or explanation for a behavior or an observation; must be tested through experimentation *Magnetism is based on electron associations *Magnetism is based on electron associations

Some Science Terminology  law - generalized statement of a relationship between variables in a system based on repeated experimentation; can be used to predict behavior of a system *As the temperature of a gas increases, its volume increases. *As the temperature of a gas increases, its volume increases.  theory - generalized explanation for observations based on repeated experimentation or observations *Gas behavior such as expansion with heat or increased pressure with decreasing volume is a result of particles that are far apart and moving rapidly. *Gas behavior such as expansion with heat or increased pressure with decreasing volume is a result of particles that are far apart and moving rapidly.

Some Science Terminology  scientific beliefsomething that is accepted as true based on scientific evidence but cannot be proven at that time  scientific beliefsomething that is accepted as true based on scientific evidence but cannot be proven at that time *All protons are identical. *All protons are identical. *The sun will rise tomorrow. *The sun will rise tomorrow.

Scientific Method  Make an observation that raises a questionState a question  Determine a possible reason for the observation Pose a hypothesis  Design and carry out an investigation to prove or disprove the hypothesis Do an experiment

Scientific Method  Compile information from the experiment and decide if the hypothesis was correct Analyze/Make a conclusion Analyze/Make a conclusion  If the conclusion or experimental process raises other questions, start the process again.

Scientific Method Understand variables: Understand variables: – Independent variable = one changed by the experimenter – Dependent variable = one that changes as a result of a change in the independent variable – Controlled variable = any property that is not being investigated and must remain the same during the experiment

Scientific Method  Make an observation that raises a question. Do birds prefer red or blue bird feeders?  Determine a possible reason for the observation. Pose a hypothesis. Birds prefer red feeders.  Design and carry out an investigation to prove or disprove the hypothesis Determine the variables: Independent = color of the feeder Dependent = # of birds at the feeder

Scientific Method Determine the variables: Controlled = type of feeder, type of food, time of day recorded, height of feeder, location of feeder… Set up 3 blue and three red identical bird feeders. At a set time each day for 10 days, record how many birds are at each feeder. Record data in a suitable table.

Scientific Method  Compile information from the experiment. Analyze the data. Make a bar graph of the number of birds at each color feeder for each day.  Decide if the hypothesis was correct. Make a conclusion The birds prefer a red feeder over a blue feeder.

Science Process Skills - Basic  Observing  Measuring  Classifying  Communicating  Inferring  Predicting

Science Process Skills- Integrated  Controlling Variables  Defining Operationally  Formulating Hypotheses  Interpreting Data  Experimenting  Formulating Models

What is a Misconception?  Incorrect understanding of term or process  Not merely a misfact  Can be taught to you or you can come to it based on your personal experience  Highly resistant to change

Some Misconceptions in Earth/Space Science  The seasons are caused by the Earth’s distance from the Sun.  Continents do not move.  Most rivers flow “down” from north to south.

Some Misconceptions in Earth/Space Science  The soil we see today has always existed.  Dinosaurs and humans existed at the same time.  The phases of the Moon are caused by a shadow from the Earth.

Lesson Design – The 5 E’s  Engagement  Exploration  Explanation  Extension  Evaluation

Learning and Assessment Tools for PSC 1210  Guided Inquiry Activities  Quizzes and Performance Tasks  Journal  Internet Explorations  Projects