1. Science: From Earth to Outer Space

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

3. 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.

4. Module Focus
This module focuses on 3 key topics in any secondary science classroom:
Lab safety
Measurement
Scientific Method
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5. Instructional Strategies
Use several instructional strategies
Research
Discussion
Brainstorming
Presentation
Experimentation
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6. Essential Questions
What safety rules should be followed in the science lab?
What is the difference between mass and weight?

7. Essential Questions: How can mass and weight be measured?
Why mass and weight must be measured differently?
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8. 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?

9. 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.

10. 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.

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

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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

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

20. Scientific Method
The scientific method helps us systematically state, organize, and solve problems in an unbiased manner.
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21. Steps of the Scientific Method
State the problem

22. Steps of the Scientific Method
State the problem
Form a hypothesis

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

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

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

26. 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.
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See examples of sample lab write-up requirements.

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

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

29. 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?
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30. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.

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

34. 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.
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35. Summary You used several instructional strategies: Brainstorming
Research
Discussion
Presentation
Experimentation
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36. Summary You used authentic assessment in the:
Presentation of research.
Presentation of experimental data.
Implementation of the scientific method.
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