Thinking Like a Scientist: Week 1 (9/10 - 9/14)

Post date: Sep 14, 2012 5:00:28 PM

Session 1

· The dangers of DHMO: A case study in critical thinking - In this case study, we will explore a potentially dangerous chemical compound, DHMO. From 2005-2009, there were an average of 3,533 deaths annually in the United States — about ten deaths per day due to DHMO inhalation. About one in five people who die from DHMO exposure are children 14 and younger. Once we look at some of the dangers of DHMO, I will have you respond to a few questions during our in-class discussion. See the following link for more info:

https://sites.google.com/site/bricetheory/assignments/formynewchemistryandbiologystudents9-12

(35 minutes) [Formative assessment]

· Pre-assessment: Scientific method and design of experiments (30 minutes) [formative assessment]

Session 2

· Correct the pre-assessment in class. Discuss answers and pay attention to areas that students already know and which areas need additional coverage. (20 minutes)

· Discuss scientific method. Repeatability, publishing results, creating a “good” hypothesis, and designing a controlled experiment. (20 minutes)

· Saving Pat Lab: This is a lab exercise is a fun activity that will have students working with a partner collaboratively to solve a problem. Students will work through the scientific method to save Pat (the worm) from drowning. Students will state the problem, formulate a hypothesis, experiment, collect data, and write an analysis and conclusion. See the following link for details:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1B72mBpzHtZu_Owzlomr3JlMZZg03rkf9W4fMdVZ7cuE/edit?authuser=0

(25 minutes)

Session 3

· Presentation on significant figures. We will discuss exact vs. measured numbers. We will practice taking measurements, including certain and uncertain numbers. We’ll cover the rules for determining how many significant figures are in a number, specifically focusing on zeroes since they may or may not be significant depending on their position. (entire class)