National First Ladies' Library
A Blessing in Disguise
Young scholars study the history of polio as well as a history of modern medicine, the history of alternative medicine and the role of the scientific method in each of these histories. They review the scientific method and research...
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Bungee Man Lab
Students explore the motion of a toy bungee jumper using the scientific method. They view a video of a bungee jumper and discuss what can be measured about a bungee jump. Students discuss the scientific mehtod and how to design an...
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How Do You Know There is Air in a Bag?
Fourth graders explore air as a material substance. Through experimentation and discussion, they explore how air can be classified as a material substance. Students write three examples proving that air is a material substance in their...
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Farming Fantastic Friends
Seventh graders demonstrate scientific inquiry to design and perform an experiment involving Grow Creatures. They participate in a class discussion, and in small groups design an experiment that determines how to change the materials to...
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Scientific Method for Middle Schools
Students use the scientific method to solve a teacher scenario. They bring in M&M's. Students are given a copy of the scientific method. They first come up with a problem. Students are told that they are going to conduct an...
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Munching Insects
Young scholars design an experiment to discover what types of plants particular insects prefer. They comprehend that insects eat only specific plants and that this has particular implications for noxious weeds. Students observe and...
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Critter? Growth
Students identify and use the elements of the scientific inquiry to solve problems. They explain concepts about the structure and properties of matter. Pupils write an explanation of polymers and how the characteristic of polymers...
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USING the SCIENTIFIC METHOD for PROBLEM SOLVING
Students work in teams to map the scientific method as applied in a present day medical situation. Their collaboration of data and findings should lead to a mutual conclusion. Students watch a variety of video's concerning these situations.
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pH Testing
Students explore the use of variables in the scientific method. They identify the dependent and independent variables through pH testing. Students construct graphs of their data and analyze their findings.
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Coal Ash Analysis
Young scholars use ash contnet, one of the important environmental concerns, that can be determined by massing the residue remaining after buring a sample of coal under controlled conditions. They complete a lab making ash content....
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Evolution of Observation
Students develop an awareness of the evolution of the scientific method. They facilitate the student's knowledge of looking at variables from different perspectives. Students develop their abilities to defend their ideas with facts or...
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Plant Motion: The Untold Secrets
Students identify and categorize knowledge needed to design an experiment. They observe, recognize and describe the motion viewed. They document any changes caused by various solutions.
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Contaminated Water
Students review and use the steps in the scientific method to complete the experiment. In groups, they research the importance of water to plants and animals in their local area. They examine how water can become contaminated and take...
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Pulse
Students determine a baseline pulse rate then chart the changes in rate with exercise. They describe the changes and develop a rationale for their observations. The task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations, determine...
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Measurement: Length, volume, and temperature
Students determine the temperature of the water in a cup, measure the length of a piece of cardboard, and measure out an appropriate volume of water. This task assesses student's abilities to perform measurement and reporting skills.
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Keep Cool
Students design an experiment to determine which type of container would be best to use to keep drinks cool on a hot day. Students test paper cups, styrofoam cups, and metal cans by filling them with ice water and they use a thermometer...
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Variables
Learners watch a video show how to identify the independent variable, dependent variable and controls in an experiment; and design experiments that use controls to isolate a single independent variable and measure the resulting dependent...
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Walk and Learn
Fourth graders take a nature walk on a nice sunny spring day. They discuss different things in nature. They write down observations in their notebook.
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Dogs and Turnips
Students attempt to assemble a meaningful sentence by successively turning over cards with words on them. They try to deduce the meaning of a selection while having access to only a limited selection of words.
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Integrating Critical Thinking Skills Into the Classroom
Learners receive an overview of critical thinking techniques. They break into small groups and practice reasoning through questions, identifying, presenting and justifying their answers.
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Thinking It Through: Discrepant Events
Students practice their skills of forming hypotheses by conducting various experiments.
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Destructive Decay
Students determine the destructive nature of plaque acid in their mouths. They use the scientific method for proving a hypothesis.
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Emulsion_ Compulsion
Students experiment with common household products to determine the properties of emulsions and how they fit into the classifications of matter through this series of lessons.
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Exploring the Scientific Method: Separation of a Complex Mixture
Students work in teams to use the scientific method to separate complex mixtures into pure components.