Scientific Enquiry, Scientific Process or Problem Solving?

What do you Think?

Let’s test our knowledge

•Form groups of 5-7 using the card you were given, and choose a leader.•The leader will conduct a KWL with your group using 2 flipcharts and your topic.•Report to the whole group

Now lets do the feedback:

1. Scientific Process2. Scientific Inquiry3. Problem Solving

How does the feedback fit with the following ideas??

The Scientific ProcessThe commonly accepted concepts and

headings:

•Title•Purpose/Aim•Hypothesis/Prediction•Procedure/Method•Results/Data•Conclusion

Now use the worksheet, “Science Investigation: Planning

and Reporting”to place each heading from the

previous slide on the worksheet….(Think/Pair/Share)

Scientific InquiryThe US National Science Education

Standards (NSES p. 23) defines Scientific Inquiry as

“the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence

derived from their work.”

Scientific inquiry also refers to the activities through which students

develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas.

NSTA also recommends that teachers help their students

understand that "there is no fixed sequence of steps that all scientific

investigations follow. Different kinds of questions suggest different kinds of scientific

investigations."

Scientific Method Scientific Inquiry

Linear / defined order Non-Linear / fluid

Answers a single posed question

May end up generating more questions

Results may be communicated at the conclusion of the experiment

Communication is a key component throughout

One way of thinking about this is:

•The Scientific Method is essential for lab reports,

•Scientific Inquiry is essential for scientific thinking.

Now complete the“How Do Scientists Really Work?”

by placing the possible list of statements in the table.

(Checking for Understanding)(2 Step Interview)

Check against the Master

What Scientists Think About What Scientists Do

How to do thingsWhat to measure, what to use

How many times to do somethingWhere to find out about things

Whether they are right

How to prove they are rightHow to record, what to record

What information is needed, how and where to find out, who to talk

to , what to read

What the information saysWhat they need to know

What is the problem, how to solve it

Whether data is valid and reliableWhether they believe informationLook at and think about results

Draw conclusions

Use equipmentMeasure thingsMake things fairTry things out

InvestigateExperiment

Record thingsDraw graphs

Use a computerLook at resultsWrite reports

Ask questionsMake thingsTest things

Control Variables

So What is Problem Solving??You have 5 minutes to produce an

answer in one sentence alone.(5 minute paper)

Scientific Inquiry is the process by which scientists carry out Problem

Solving.The Scientific Method is the way of

ensuring the solution to the problem is reliable.

However, there is a time and a place for the formal lab write-up, and many Science Fairs require

such a report at the conclusion of the investigation. Some hints:

TitlePurposeHypothesis (specific and supported)Materials - listProcedure (written in specific steps)Results (any observations, data tables, graphs)Conclusion Do you accept or reject your hypothesis? Tell your results (use numbers) Any errors or things you could not control? Future questions or investigations? Connections to the real-world?

Is there a place for Scientific Inquiry or Problem Solving in

Science Fairs??

How do you organize your science fairs?

Form groups with other members of your school or groups of 3.

Discuss how you organize your Science Fair.

(Brainstorming)