Lynée Zajac Beck M.Ed.

Shadow Ridge Middle School

Denver, Colorado

Science Skills Unit

Name ________________________________________ Period _______

Due OCT 6, 2006

Directions	Choose from the listed activities to learn the unit objectives. Each assignment has a point value based on the amount of time and effort necessary to complete that task. Items marked with ‘**’ are required assignments. Practice level assignments will be collected during the oral defense. Application and Research level assignments are turned into the basket with your unit sheet. As always, if you have questions ASK or email.
Objectives	1A. Creates a written plan and conducts a scientific investigation which: uses a given experimental question, requires students to make a hypothesis describing a cause and effect relationship within a system, includes a procedure to test a single variable using experimental controls and multiple trials, includes a data section in which students record data in tables and graphs using metric measures, includes a conclusion section in which students interpret data from tables and graphs to draw conclusions, identifies possible related variables which could be tested in the future 1D. Investigates scientific questions by using a variety of methods 1E. Compares, analyzes, and evaluates alternative procedures, explanations of data, and models for a scientific problem
Grading Scale	90-100 =A 80-89 =B 70-79 =C 60-69 =D <60 = Not Yet!
Late work	Late work will be accepted at 59% of the assignment value. If you must be absent on the due date, make arrangements with your teacher before then, or ask someone to bring it to school for you on the due date.

Use the calendar to document your progress each day

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
9/18	9/19	9/20	9/21 Scientific Method Video & WS	9/22 Computer Lab
9/25 Observing Info Session Unit Work Day	9/26 **Inquiry Info Session Unit Work Day	9/27 Hypothesizing Info Session Unit Work Day	9/28 **Graphing Info Session Unit Work Day	9/29 Concluding Info Session Unit Work Day
10/2 Unit Work Day	10/3 Unit Work Day	10/4 Unit Work Day	10/5 Unit Work Day	10/6 Unit Work Day Science Skills Unit Due

Practice Layer

65 Points and oral defense required to move on to next layer

70 Points MAX

	*Activity*	*Points* *Possible*	*Completed*
HW	** Parent/Guardian signature, date and contact phone number here:	5
*Observing*	** Choose 2: Info Session Notes WS: Observations and Inferences Partner activity: Observations and Inferences	5
*Inquiry*	Info Session Notes Choose 1: WS: IV vs. DV WS: Sponge Bob- Controls and Variables Tale of Two Kittens	10
*Hypothesizing*	** Choose 2: Info Session Notes WS: Writing Hypotheses WS: More than just a guess	5
*Data Tables*	** Design data tables for TWO of the following PQ’s How does temperature affect the mass of a balloon? How does temperature affect volume of a balloon? How does age affect heart rate? How does age affect height?	5
*Graphing*	Info Session Notes Choose 1 WS: “Susan’s Weight Loss Plan” Graphing Problem worksheet (5) WS: “Bob’s Miles Spent Running” Graphing Problem worksheet (5) WS: “Sam’s Growth over 2 Years” Graphing Problem worksheet (5) WS: “Making Graphs from a story” (10) WS: “Interpreting Graphs to Form a Story (10)	5 or 10
*Concluding*	**Info Session Notes	5
*Choose from these activities for your remaining points* *Choose from these activities for your remaining points*	Scientific Method Video & Worksheet	5
	Create a children’s book that simplifies how to do a lab report	10
	Design a poster/drawing explaining the scientific method	5
	Make a model: Buy a soda from a vending machine and listen closely to what happens inside. Draw a model of the inside workings of a soda vending machine. Conclusion must be reasonable!	5
	WS: One minute mysteries (challenge!)	10
	Your friend designed an experiment to answer a question he had. The experiment did not support his hypothesis, so your friend felt like his experiment failed, and rejected his hypothesis. Be prepared to explain in 60 seconds why his hypothesis might not be wrong.	5
	WS: Lab Report Word Search	10
	Video: Dolphins lab write up	10
	Write a 50 word GIST on the Experimental Errors info sheet	5
	Video: The World According to Goofy lab write up	5
	Create new lyrics about science skills to your favorite song. Sing it to Ms. ZB or to the class.	5
	WS: Scientific Method – Bikini Bottom Experiments	5
	Create an Experimental Design Flipbook. See instruction sheet.	10
	TV- watch an episode of CSI, a series famous for saying “where does the evidence lead?”. Write up a lab report based on the characters problem/question, hypothesis, materials used in the investigation, the step by step procedure used in the investigation, the data that is collected and the conclusion that is come to based on the evidence.	10
	Write a letter to a scientist who is trying out a new drug on people without using a control. Explain to them why this is a mistake and what they could do to correct the situation.	10
Practice Layer is complete! Pass to next layers ________________________

Application Layer

Must be completed in class, choose own lab groups of 4 max

Turn into basket with unit sheet when completed

How does the amount of sugar in gum differ by brand? (Your lab group must bring supplies)
Does head size impact whether someone is left or right handed?
How does the mass of a paper airplane affect the distance it travels?
What affects the absorbency of tissues or paper towels? (Your lab group must bring supplies)
How does the amount of salt affect amount of time to boiling?
Design your own lab…. See Ms. ZB for approval

Research Layer

Use Research Sheet

This layer may be done at home

Turn into basket with unit sheet when completed

Should all problems be solved with the scientific method?
Is science always changing?
Are all scientific “laws” true?
What are the positive and negative impacts of technology, and does the positive outweigh the negative?