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What is a scientific model?
A scientific model represents objects, phenomena, and physical processes in a consistent and logical way. Phenomena is any observable occurrence
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Scientists develop models about many different natural phenomena
Proton particles in light Weather systems How muscles move – like when you shoot a basketball How dinosaurs behaved on the planet before humans When earthquakes hit or volcanoes erupt How different ecosystems work – deserts, oceans, and forests Planet, sun and moon model… Question: Can you come up with any examples of some SCIENTIFIC MODELS? Hint: What model did you construct last year? #1
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Scientific PROCESS of studying the world around us:
A. Make observations B. Look for patterns in those observations C. Develop and test for possible explanations Taking observations and questions to another level is to observe patterns and come up with possible explanations to test. #2
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Let’s act like SCIENTISTS?
Observations Patterns Possible Explanations Ex. Leaves change colors and fall off trees Ex. This happens every year at about the same time Does this happen because… It gets colder? The days are shorter? There is less sun? Ex. Hiccups Ex. This happens every time a person eats to fast You eat too much food? Something is triggering a spasm in your stomach? Blinking eyes Dark clouds Drop a ball and a paper clip Having twins Cycles of the moons Refer back to developing and testing during the animal behavior experiments for third PROCESS magnet.
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Examples of scientific PROCESSES you have participated in:
Gill Flap/Fish Temperature lab Making observations & finding patterns Animal Behavior experiments Making observations, finding patterns and then developing and testing Jane Goodall and the chimps Making observations, finding patterns in tool making and then developed ideas about how they were similar to us Refer back to developing and testing during the animal behavior experiments for third PROCESS magnet.
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Once scientists have TESTED and EXPLAINED the phenomena, those EXPLANATIONS are called…
SCIENTIFIC MODELS! Refer to handout question #3 #3
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SCIENTIFIC MODELS… B. Predict future observations
A. Explain observations B. Predict future observations C. Be realistic The students studied supernatural phenomena and you can only use NATURAL explanations #4
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Examples of SCIENTIFIC MODELS:
A model of the motions of the sun, moon and earth (which you participated in last year) A model of predicting eclipses Models that explain weather phenomena can be used to predict weather
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Models lead scientists to ask questions
Diseases caused by bacteria discovered by scientists Your ANIMAL BEHAVIOR experiments Question: Refer to handout question #5 Looking back on your animal behavior experiment, explain in a few sentences any NEW questions you would now ask after getting your results? #5
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How are models communicated?
Graphs Drawings, graphs, equations, three-dimensional structures or words
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How are models communicated?
Drawings Drawings, graphs, equations, three-dimensional structures or words
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How are models communicated?
Equations A=πr2 Drawings, graphs, equations, three-dimensional structures or words Question: Can you think of any other equations that scientists and mathematicians use to explain data?
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Model vs. Representation
A model is the IDEA Graphs, drawings and equations are the REPRESENTATION of the model or idea
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The Black Box/Mystery Maker Experiment 6th Grade
Think back to your explanations for how the Black Box works… What did you do? Look for patterns in your observations? Develop ideas how it might have worked? Communicate your ideas to other scientists (in the class) using representations of your idea? Drawings, graphs, equations, three-dimensional structures or words
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How do you decide if a model is “right”?
A community of scientists may have more than one model to explain a given phenomena Many models were proposed to explain the “Black Box” experiment from 6th grade Were all of these models of the “Black Box” equally valid? Let’s discuss. Drawings, graphs, equations, three-dimensional structures or words
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How do you decide if a model is RIGHT?
Are multiple models for the same phenomena equally valid? Just because there are multiple models, does not mean that they both can’t be valid Unacceptable or Acceptable Refer to handout on Black Box RIGHT
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Can scientists change their SCIENTIFIC MODELS?
Did you change your Black Box model? Scientists DO change their models to better fit the criteria of the scientific model Explain observations Predict future phenomena Be realistic Refer to handout on Black Box
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IT’S YOUR TURN TO BE THE SCIENTIST!
You will be developing your own models to explain some interesting genetic phenomena You will be developing models to explain how seeds that are round and wrinkled have mainly round peas for offspring (kids). Drawings, graphs, equations, three-dimensional structures or words
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