1. Introduction to Empirical Reasoning
Jessica Davis
Introduction to Empirical Reasoning

2. What is Empirical Reasoning?
What does the term “Empirical” mean?
Originating in or based on observation or experience; capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment.
How about “Reasoning”?
To think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic

3. The Learning Goal
This goal is to think like a scientist: to use empirical evidence and a logical process to make decisions and to evaluate hypotheses. It does not reflect specific science content material, but instead can incorporate ideas from physics to sociology to art theory.
What idea do I want to test? (essential question)
What has other research shown?
What is my hypothesis? How can I test it?
What information (data) do I need to collect?
How will I collect the information?
What will I use as a control in my research?
How good is my information?
What are the results of my research?
What error do I have?
What conclusions can I draw from my research?
How will I present my results?

4. CA Science Standards: Investigation and Experimentation
-Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations.
-Select and use appropriate tools and technology to perform experiments..
-Identify and communicate sources of error.
-Identify possible reasons for inconsistent results.
-Formulate explanations by using logic and evidence.
-Solve scientific problems using math.
-Distinguish between hypothesis and theory.
-Read and interpret maps.
-Investigate a science-based societal issue.
-Recognize the usefulness and limitations of models and theories. -Analyze locations, sequences, or time intervals. -Recognize the issues of statistical variability and the need for controlled tests. -Recognize the cumulative nature of scientific evidence. -Analyze situations and solve problems that require combining and applying concepts from more than one area of science. -Know that when an observation does not agree with an accepted scientific theory, the observation is sometimes mistaken or fraudulent

5. National Science Standards
What is Science as Inquiry?
-Understanding scientific concepts and developing abilities of inquiry
-Learning subject matter disciplines in the context of inquiry, technology, science in personal and social perspectives, and history and nature of science.
-Investigations over extended periods of time.
-Using multiple process skills— manipulation, cognitive, procedural.
-Using evidence and strategies for developing or revising an explanation.
-Groups of students often analyzing and synthesizing data after defending conclusions
Students Will:
-Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations.
-Design and conduct scientific investigations.
-Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications.
-Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence.
-Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models.
-Communicate and defend a scientific argument.

6. Why is ER Important? Adds rigor to student projects.
Helps students define what their goals are for projects.
Addresses higher level thinking (analysis and synthesis).
Encompasses content from all fields.

7. The Empirical Reasoning Process
Essential Questions and Hypotheses
Creating Data Collection Methods
Consistent Investigation
Analyzing Your Data and Comparing to Other Research
Looking for Experimental Error
Drawing Conclusions and Creating Final Products
Presenting Your Results

8. The Scientific Method

9. Components of ER Integration in Project Work
Proposal
Research and Data Collection
Analyzing and Synthesizing Research
Creation of Final Products

10. QR/ER Proposal at BPFTA
WHAT THE STUDENTS SHOULD PROPOSE BEFORE THE PROJECT BEGINS:
Essential Question/Goal
Hypothesis
Procedures/Testing Methods:
Calculations/Data/Observations:
Presenting Results
Classes the work will count toward
Timeline

11. After research is completed…
Results and Analysis: Was the goal met? Was the hypothesis correct? Why or why not? What does this show and why does it matter? A clear discussion.
Errors: What errors or mistakes happened that affected the test or calculations?
Final Product Creation: Create final products involving/meeting all previous components.

12. ER at FTA: Scope and Sequence
9th Grade: A Scientific Investigation Course (Introduction to ER) that will include basic scientific concepts. Run by the Advisors, supported by the ER Specialist.
10th and 11th Grades: Classes taken either on campus or at the college level. Students are required to do an ER component of their project if the class is on campus (20% of their grade).
10th-12th Grades: Independent or Small Group Project-Based Science Elective courses tied to LTI.

13. ER Project Integration
For 9th-12th Grade Students (all students)
All students are required to use Empirical Reasoning in their Project Work.
Students can use scientific concepts and/or Investigation and Experimentation for any project.
The following is a list of examples.

14. Possible Tests/Experiments
Project/
LTI/Course
Essential Questions
Possible Tests/Experiments
Area of Science
Volunteer at an afterschool program.
How can students’ skills in a certain area be improved?
-After researching different methods, choose one. Using a control group and a regular group, test your method. Administer before, middle and after assessments to analyze the success of your program.
-Investigation and Experimentation
LTI at an Environmental Non-Profit
How can I improve the environment in my community?
-Create chemistry tests of soil, water, or air.
-Try different methods to grow plants, see which work better.
-Chemistry
-Earth Science
-Biology
LTI at a Boxing Gym
How can I improve my own health through boxing?
-Using an assistant, give yourself strength and endurance tests.
-Using the guidance of your mentor, regularly work on your boxing technique, then re-test your strength and endurance and look for improvement.
Project on Writing Therapy
Can students/people find therapeutic release through writing or poetry?
-Working with a set group of people, consistently implement your writing program.
-After the program each week have all participants rate their feelings in an anonymous way. Track this data over multiple sessions.

15. Possible Tests/Experiments
Project/
LTI/Course
Essential Questions
Possible Tests/Experiments
Area of Science
Physics Course and Volunteership at school for the blind
How does loss of vision impact quality of life?
-Design and implement various ways to impede vision (blurred glasses, blindfolds).
-Perform daily tasks normally and time yourself.
-Perform daily tasks with impediment and time yourself. Analyze the difference.
-Investigation and Experimentation
-Physics
-Biology
LTI at a dance organization.
How can dance improve my health?
-Research the relationship between the heart and health.
-Test your pulse at rest and after dancing. Analyze the results.
Independent Project on Immigration and the DREAM Act
Which communities need the most education about the DREAM Act?
-Develop a survey, including demographics, about the DREAM Act.
-Have at least 40 random people participate.
-Analyze the results by each demographic, comparing them using charts and graphs.
Chemistry Course and project on graffiti art
How can I improve the quality of paints used by artists?
-Research aerosol sprays
-Test the effects of sprays on air quality.
-Test different paints, develop mixtures to try to change how fast it dries, etc.
-Chemistry

16. Possible Tests/Experiments
Project/
LTI/Course
Essential Questions
Possible Tests/Experiments
Area of Science
LTI at a restaurant
What techniques are important for good cooking?
-Test how heating up foods quickly or slowly changes consistency, taste, etc.
-Investigation and Experimentation
-Chemistry
Project on gang involvement
What psychological impact do gangs have in my neighborhood?
-Develop a survey about the impact of gangs, asking participants about # of gang members in the area, crimes committed, etc.
-Compare to police data on, analyze any differences.
Physics course and LTI at a radio station
What are radio waves and how do they send music?
-Research radio waves
-Develop a test to try and “block” a radio from receiving signals, and analyze the results.
-Physics
Project on Makeup or Fashion
What types of materials are in makeup/clothing? Can they harm me?
-Research chemicals found in popular cosmetics & clothing, and find out pH levels of these chemicals.
-Develop a test where you water a plant with a solution of that pH level and analyze results.

17. Independent Elective Courses
Students with related LTIs could attain credit for an elective course (Marine Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Veterinary Science, Food Science, etc.), but need to work closely with mentors and an ER person.
In these situations, courses must be developed with clear outcomes along with mentors in a scientific field.

18. ER Integration Rubric
Empirical Reasoning Sub-goals as a guide.
QR Integration Rubric as a template
Broken into three parts:
Planning
Testing
Analysis
***To be used for project integration for students taking a science course.***

19. The ER Rubric

20. The ER Rubric: Jigsaw Break into Groups of equal size.
Your prompt: Using the project topic and Essential Questions, design the ER portion of a students project..
Time Limit: 10 minutes to brainstorm, then 10 minutes to share out.

21. Group 1: Advisory Project
Group 2: Independent Project (no internship yet)
Group 3: LTI Project
Group 4: Independent Project, searching for an LTI

22. Outcomes: 1) Hypothesis/es: What will you will be researching?
2) Investigation: What type of investigation or experimentation will you perform?
3) Data Collection Methods: How will you record your results?
4) Products: What will you create that expresses the results of your research?

23. My Suggestions
Introduce investigation starting in the 9th Grade with an ER Course and/or clear ER integration into an Advisory or Group Project
Do a survey/investigation as an Advisory and tally results and form conclusions in groups
Strong Essential Questions make for a strong investigation
Product Creation is an essential component of the process

24. RE-CAP -Editorials, Expository Essays, Historical Investigations
What is NOT ER
Studying or researching Science Concepts/ “facts”.
Survey of students at the school (unless the project is only our school- based)/insufficient data or sample sizes.
Data collection with no analysis.
What IS ER
-Editorials, Expository Essays, Historical Investigations
-Experiments
-Surveys with Analysis

25. Whip Around What questions do you have? What ideas do you have?
Networking time!