Understanding the Science MSPMark Watrin

Science Coordinator ESD112 InquiryPlanning Investigations

Plan different kinds of investigations, including field studies, systematic observations, models, and controlled experiments.

Carry out investigations by using instruments, observing, recording, and drawing evidence-based conclusions

Answer questions by explaining observations of the natural world. K-1

2-3

4-5

Preconceptions :Three – Two - One

• Three Inquiry Standards that will be answered as a two point questions

• Two Inquiry standards that will be only Multiple Choice

• One inquiry standard that will not be tested

Inquiry?

• Ask Questions• Plan Investigations• Collect Data• Repeat for reliability• Understand Models• Emphasize Evidence• Communicate results• Be honest

2 point possibilities• Plan an investigation

• Understand models• Evidence for Conclusion• Evidence for

Explanations

Standards MSP

NA = work collaboratively, create a model, respond non-defensively to questions

How Did They Do?

18%

24%56%

2%

% 5th Grade 2009

2 points 1point0 point NA

• Puddle Problem– Write a Conclusion

Puddle ProblemMultiple Choice

92% Identify the Measured Variable83% Identify the Controlled Variable77% Reason for multiple trials

Still Struggling on Short Answer Questions

Pause Part 1

4 Parts

• Design a controlled experiment

• Design a Field Investigation

• Write a Conclusion

• Understanding Models

Plan an Investigation Controlled Experiment

Field Study

Test and Ite

m

Specifications

Controlled Variables are inferred in 5th grade

5th

Test

& Item

Specifi

cations

Test

& Item

Specifi

cations

Example of Logical Steps

Inquiry GuideAttribute Points• Logical Steps• Manipulated Variable• Responding Variable• Record Data• Multiple Trials

Inquiry in Your Science Kit

• Animal Runways

• Flood

• Yeast & Vitamin C

• Melting Matter

Field Investigation – NEW ITEMAttributes = 5

• Logical Steps

• 2 Conditions compared

• Data to be Collected

• Record Measurements• Observations are repeated

From OSPI - Templates

Comparison Opportunities• Animals 2x2/organisms• New Plants• Insects• Air and Weather/Weather• Human Body• Environments/Ecosystems• Diversity of Life

• Goldfish & Guppies• Rye grass & oats• Mealworms & wax worms• Weather conditions• Owl pellets• Terrariums & Aquariums• Pond water organisms

Pause Part 1

In Conclusion(1)Conclusive statement

(2)Supporting data: reported data are the lowest and highest conditions

(1)Explanatory language, connect or compare the supporting data to the conclusive statement

2012 Update Documents

3 or 4 = 2

Conclusive Statement

High DataLow Data

Explanatory Language

How well do students write conclusions?

High data

Low data

scored 2 points

Pause Part 3

“But wait, there’s more!”

Models

Example

• What real object is this a model showing?

• What is accurate about the model

• What is inaccurate about the model?

What is this a model of?

What science principle is modeled?

How is the model accurate? How is the model inaccurate?

Models in your science kits

• Carts

• Stream Table

• Terrarium Aquarium

Pause Part 1