Category: Science Methods
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Leverage Sign Language in Your Biology Presentations
Embedded within my presentations are practice questions, or refocus questions. My students use simple American Sign Language to answer engage with the material.
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Introductory Activity on Using Science Equipment
Learn to use scientific tools in this station activity. Determine volume, length, temperature, and mass by visiting stations in the lab and performing tasks.
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Introductory Activity on Academic Integrity
Students explore academic integrity by discussing what constitutes cheating. They work in groups to discuss scenarios that may or may not be dishonest.
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Lab Introduction – Identify Equipment and Uses
Introduce students to lab equipment with this station activity. Students examine items, like a beaker, and write down the name and functions of each.
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Can Sport Hunting Control Predator Populations?
Examine data that compares states that allow trophy hunting of pumas to California which does not allow hunting.
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Measuring Water Quality with Biodiversity
Students manipulate data to show how water quality and stream diversity are connected. Dataclassroom is used to analyze data sets and complete a CER.
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CER – How Effective Are Masks at Preventing Disease
Students examine data that show the effectiveness of mask wearing and the prevention of disease. The activity is a CER format (claim, evidence, reasoning.)
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Error Bars, Carl Sagan, and the Demon Haunted World
Read an excerpt from Carl Sagan to discuss uncertainty in science. Students learn how to use error bars to determine validity.
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Early Discoveries in Science – Remote Version
Remote version of early discoveries in science. Slides present scenarios about how the scientific method is used to solve real-world problems.
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Scientific Method Study on Beriberi and Chickens
Revised version of the Scientific Method in Action worksheet that focuses on the chickens who became sick due to a vitamin deficiency.
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CER and Data Analysis
CER introduction to scientific argumentation (claim, evidence, reasoning), Analyze a graph showing ACE2 receptors by age group.
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Highlight the Manipulated and Responding Variables
This worksheet describes the difference between an independent (manipulated) and dependent (responding) variable and then asks students to practice by identifying variables in short sentences.
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Podcast – Good Vibrations and Treehoppers
Introduce your students to the world of science podcasts! Listen to a short audio clip on treehoppers and how they use sound to attract mates.
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CER – Data Analysis with Sharks
Shark data by month where students make a LINE graph to show how the population changes over time. Students complete a CER to discuss results.
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Investigation: Heat Loss and Insulation in a Jar
This simple experiment can be used as a way to introduce the scientific method. Students design an experiment to test which materials are the best insulators by measuring heat loss. The materials are simple, and the experiment doesn’t take very long. They will need two beakers per group, a thermometer, and hot water. Also, a…