A Science Project

What do scientists do?

YouTube Video


Essential Question: 

How do scientists conduct scientific research

or solve scientific problems to impact the future?



Expectation

Be a scientist. Follow the "scientific method" to answer a question. Scientists look for the truth by predicting what will happen, and then conducting an experiment to accept or reject the prediction [hypothesis].

What do scientists do?

How does a scientist work?

What is the scientific method?

Question: Decide on a question to which you want an answer, to find the truth of the concept.

Research: Research what is already known about the idea to decide on your hypothesis.

Experiment: Follow the process of experimentation to discover the truth of your hypothesis.

For an experiment to be valid, all (controlled) variables must be kept the same whenever possible, except for the manipulated (independent) variable being tested and the responding (dependent) variable being measured and recorded. If a variable cannot be controlled, it must be reported and accounted for.

Plan and conduct a controlled experiment to test a hypothesis about a relationship between two variables.  

Determine which variables should be kept the same (controlled), which (independentvariable should be systematically manipulated, and which responding (dependent) variable is to be measured and recorded. 

Report any variables not controlled and explain how they might affect results.

Document your process in a lab report:

Lab Report (Click for template)

1. Research Topic:
2. Background Research:
3. Research Question:
4. Hypothesis:
5. Materials:
6. Variables
Controlled:
Independent / Manipulated:
Dependent / Responding:
Others that may affect results:
7. Procedures:
8. Data Tables:
9. Observations
10. Results:
11. Conclusions
12: Summary of Findings:


Sources:


Write your abstract.


STANDARDS

Key Ideas and Details:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.2
Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3
Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.

Craft and Structure:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.4
Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.5
Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to an understanding of the topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.6
Analyze the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7
Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.8
Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.9
Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.

Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.10
By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.




Documents

Getting Started



Experience Blog

Respond to questions on your blog to share what your are doing, learning, thinking, feeling?

Glossary

Create a glossary of your science topic terms

Click: Lab Report Documentation


This is your documentation of your experiment -- all your lab notes, research, data collection, observations. After your experiment, after you have written your conclusions, then you create your  lab abstract.


ABSTRACT

Click: Final Summary Lab abstract directions and [click] template.
An abstract is a summary of the most important information in your lab report. It is the part that scientists send out to others and write up in science newsletters and journals.


Materials Purchase List

Add your materials to the purchase list.

Work Links

Resources:


Sample Questions for your hypothesis.



Checklist  [ in docs ]

5 and 6


Practice Lab Reports
Lab Reports are all the notes, background research, experiment information in one document

Lab Report: Sixth Grade  Fifth Grade


7/8
Experiment [gravity] Lab Report  and Data