1. Preparing Your Students for the GED Science Test:
The Scientific Method
Sara Turnbull, Adult Academic Program, Robbinsdale Schools

2. Session Objectives: Define the scientific method and key vocabulary
Explore the elements of the scientific method and key vocabulary
Identify real-world applications of the scientific method
Identify how the scientific method will appear in the GED tests
Identify instructional resources to teach scientific method
Identify strategies for scaffolding scientific method instruction
Identify the scientific practices which are addressed through scientific method instruction

3. Science Practices

4. What is the scientific method?
Here is an excellent presentation to use with your students:
Download for free from Teachers Pay Teachers:
Created by Amy Brown, Science Stuff, this includes student pages for use with the presentation and teacher notes too.
Show powerpoint AND student pages. Send graphic organizer and student pages to participants.

5. Vocabulary of the scientific method:
The Simpson’s Worksheet - controls and variables
Scientific Method Stories – identify steps of the scientific method used to solve a real world problem about patient illness (beriberi) and penicillin
Tip: To write a hypothesis, use “I predict….” or “If…., then….”
To remember variables, the Independent (manipulated) Variable is what “I do or change and the
Dependent (responding) Variable is the Data collected.

6. Graphic Organizer
My favorite is from Teachers Pay Teachers, Kim Sal, the Science Gal.
Scientific Method Graphic Organizer
Have Deb scan as PDF

7. Using the Graphic Organizer
KAPLAN GED Science Test
Science Practices - Practice Questions
Content Page - Static Electricity
Deb to scan as PDF page 506, questions 9-12 and static electricity page

8. Using the Graphic Organizer
Creating an Experimental Design
Experiments outlined in graphic organizers
New Readers Press
Scan completed graphic organizers

9. Scientific Method - Group Project
Student groups are given a scenario and design an experiment together
and then share with the class.

10. Scaffolding Strategies
Reformat essay that accompanies video, to scaffold summarizing skill
pbslearningmedia.org
Use Graphic Organizer to outline experiment
Create sentence frames for the Scientific Method or try My Template
Write a paragraph describing an experimental design
scan worksheet

11. Current Research on Aging at UC Irvine
Student scientists in action
From Question to Conclusion, an excellent look at the Scientific Method through Drosophila (fly) research

12. The Simplified, Linear Scientific Method vs. Reality
An entertaining video on the fluidity of the scientific method and practical problem-solving ??

13. Lesson Plan with Short Videos
The Process of Scientific Experimentation - pbslearningmedia.org
PBSLearningMedia.org makes it easy to create an account to save your favorite videos from this marvelous website.
And another… Blood Vessels Help Tumors Grow - pbslearningmedia.org
log in to my account??

14. Graphing and Analyzing Data
“Dopamine May Affect Thrill-Seeking Behavior in Humans"
Using a Graph to Find Area: A Science Skill Lab
Find at Teacherspayteachers.com
(Amy Brown, Science Stuff)

15. Using Picture Books to teach the Big Ideas of Science
My favorite Evolution book:
Life On Earth, The Story Of Evolution by Steve Jenkins
(My favorite PBS Evolution Series, 7 videos -
scan 2 pages frogs

16. More Big Ideas of Science
Cells and Genetics
Dozens of interactives on topics from stem cells to cloning to gene therapy
The Atom pbslearningmedia.org - Cool interactive
Kitchen Chemistry TV411.org - Videos plus Math lessons
Plate Tectonics pbslearningmedia.org
Climate Change nasa.gov - Excellent graphics
A Student’s Guide to Global Climate Change epa.gov

17. Daphnia Heartbeat
Observing and measuring the Daphnia heartbeat - worksheet
Graphic Organizer; Graphing; Design an Experiment (Find Experiment at Teachers Pay Teachers>
Science Skills: Graphing, Applying the Scientific Method, and Scientific Writing #2 by Amy Brown, Science Stuff)
rescan graphic organizer + lab sheet

18. The Biology Corner Scientific Method Stories and Scenarios
Biology lesson plans, worksheets, tutorials and resources for teachers and students
Scientific Method
Stories and Scenarios
Hands-On Activities
Virtual Labs
Analyzing and Graphing Data
and more….
PDF Scroll thru with participants
PDF Scroll thru with pa

19. A Guide to Understanding Science 101
Explore an interactive representation (flowchart) of the process of science.
Discovery: The Spark for Science - Everyday Science Questions
Science Misconceptions
Science Checklist

20. Resources Teachers Pay Teachers, Amy Brown - Science Stuff
Lesson Plans; Videos and accompanying essays with questions
The Biology Corner
UC Berkeley
Scientists at the Smithsonian - Scientists in the Field
TV411 - Kitchen Chemistry Science Lessons with Math