Name of Lesson: Introduction to Scientific Method - Marble Stacking Using Google Spreadsheet
Grade Level: 3
Subject: Science
Prepared by: Mary Fran Lynch
Overview and Purpose:Students are introduced to the scientific method through a hands-on activity using Google Spreadsheet to record data and report findings.
Educational Standards - California Third Grade Content Standards, Investigation and Experimentation
Students will:
- 5.c. Use numerical data in describing and comparing objects, events, and measurements.
- 5.d. Predict the outcome of a simple investigation and compare the result with the prediction.
- 5.e. Collect data in an investigation and analyze those data to develop a logical conclusion.
Objectives:- Students will be introduced to the Scientific Method and its vocabulary.
- Students will make a hypothesis and record it.
- Students will perform the activity at least twice and make careful observations on their method each time.
- Students will record their results and compare it to their prediction.
- Students will compare and contrast the data of their investigation and that of their classmates.
Materials Needed:
- Spice jar caps, one for each student, each one being the same
- at least 20 marbles for each student
Other Resources:- computers with internet access
- a pre-constructed Google Spreadsheet
- a projector connected to one of the computers
Lesson:
Prior to the lesson, the teacher will open a
Google Spreadsheet and copy the student names into column A.
The teacher will introduce the term "Scientific Method" and conduct a grand conversation with students about what they think it means, leading them to understand that it is the series of steps a scientist follows when they want to find an answer to a question.
The teacher will tell students that today they will be scientists and show the spice caps and marbles. The teacher will ask the students what question could they ask and test using these materials, directing the students to ask, "How many marbles will the spice cap hold?"
The teacher will show the students the Google Spreadsheet. The question will be entered.
The teacher will ask the students how they will test the question and direct the conversation to have students suggest column headings for spreadsheet, including each student's hypothesis, a column for the student to record their method for stacking their marbles and make their observations, two columns to record the number of marbles the student was able to stack each time (data), a column for the student analyze their data and to draw conclusions.
Activity:
After the teacher demonstrates how to fill in the spreadsheet, students will be given the spice caps and marbles and will proceed to carry out their activity and make their observations.
The Google Spreadsheet will be projected as students enter their data from a number of classroom computers.
Assessment:
Once students have entered their data and observations, the teacher will conduct a grand conversation about the similarities and differences in the data and what might have caused the differences in the findings. (To make the conversation more interesting, the teacher may want to give a few students a different sized marble).
The teacher will informally assess understanding through the classroom conversation referring to the
spreadsheet.
Students will write a reflection essay on what Scientific Method is and give an example of another question that could be answered using Scientific Method.