This week, we looked at some of the tools that scientists use. The two younger classes examined the tools (the balance, not pictured, was a favorite) and then went through a list of questions a scientist might ask and selected which tool from the table would help them answer that question. For example, "How much does a penny weigh?"--the scale, or "What does a plant cell look like?"--the microscope.
We ran the test, and in most cases, the car that was pushed flipped over at the bottom of the ramp, and everyone started calling out all the things that were unfair about this situation--the surfaces they landed on were different, the ramps were different, the cars started at different places and with different forces. After we identified all the variables that should have been constant if we were trying to test two types of car (our independent variable), we fixed them and tried again, in a fair test. They were more satisfied with the results, but then we played around with some of those constants, testing on different surfaces, with different height ramps, and with different amounts of force. It was a great way for them to see how variables definitely affect an experiment and how important it is to only have ONE variable to test at a time. The oldest class only spent a few minutes on the variables so they could focus on finishing their experiment designs they had started last week. Two of the pairs decided to test which cookie would absorb the most milk, while the third tested which cookies would float in milk. They selected which tools they would need from the table, made their material lists and wrote out the steps for their lab.
Additional Activities Videos:
Scientific Method Song This goes through the steps of the scientific method, in song, for the audio learners. Scientific Method for Kids A thorough look at the steps of the scientific method with examples if anyone wants a refresher. Determine the Type of Graph. . . This one will probably appeal to the older students (and will help the first class with their graphing homework)--use information about zombies to learn about graphs and how to use the best type of graph to present your data. Activities: Fair Test Variables Perform different experiments, first without controlling for all of the variables, and then discuss what variables may have affected the results and which ones you can control for, making them the same. Repeat the experiment with all variables except the independent variable being held constant.
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May 2020
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