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

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

Essential Questions  What safety rules should be followed in the science lab?  What is the difference between mass and weight?  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?  How can mass and weight be measured?  Why mass and weight must be measured differently? CFB

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

Brainstorm  What lab rules do students need to know?  What are some creative ways to assess their understanding?  What lab rules do students need to know?  What are some creative ways to assess their understanding? Pause video and discuss. 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. 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. Read and discuss Safety in the Laboratory.Safety in the Laboratory Pause video and discuss.

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

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?  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.Weight on other Planets

Present 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. 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. My Weight on Earth vs. Mars My Weight on Earth vs. Mars

Brainstorm  What is the purpose of the scientific method?  What happens when it is not followed?  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.Scientific Method

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

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

Variable vs. Control What is control and its relationship to the variable? See Featured Links for more on the concept of variables.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 1.State the problem

Steps of the Scientific Method 1.State the problem 2.Form a hypothesis 1.State the problem 2.Form a hypothesis

Steps of the Scientific Method 1.State the problem 2.Form a hypothesis 3.Conduct experiment 1.State the problem 2.Form a hypothesis 3.Conduct experiment

Steps of the Scientific Method 1.State the problem 2.Form a hypothesis 3.Conduct experiment 4.Collect Data 1.State the problem 2.Form a hypothesis 3.Conduct experiment 4.Collect Data

Steps of the Scientific Method 1.State the problem 2.Form a hypothesis 3.Conduct experiment 4.Collect Data 5.Draw Conclusions 1.State the problem 2.Form a hypothesis 3.Conduct experiment 4.Collect Data 5.Draw Conclusions

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.  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. See examples of sample lab write-up requirements.sample lab write-up requirements CFB

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

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?  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

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.  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.lab safety for science classroom

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.  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. What is the difference between mass and weight?

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

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

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

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