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Template: Scientific Investigation

Module by: Mark Horner. E-mail the author

Educator Section

Topic for investigation

(it can vary from an open topic where learners can do investigation on anything they want to or the teacher can decide the particular area the learners need to focus on)

Table 1
Duration:  
Time allocation:  

Lesson duration: e.g. Term 1 Week 1 Time allocation: e.g. 3 Periods 45 min each

Learning Outcome/s:

(usually LO1 - Scientific investigation and LO2- Constructing Science knowledge)

Assessment Standards

Insert assessment standard information here

Core knowledge and Important concepts

Insert the relevant information regarding the scientific method, dependant and independant variables, fixed variables, hypothesis, graphs etc.

Assessment:

  • How are you going to assess the learners?
  • What instruments are you going to use?
  • Which assessment standards will be met?

Resources

This can be the textbook, internet, library books, magazines, apparatus, everything you need to perform the research

Role of the teacher:

The teacher acts as facilitator and guides the learners. The core concepts should be explained to the learners

Useful information: Experience from other teachers

Insert learnings here. For example:The learners should be engage with the following five steps:

  1. Step 1. State the problem by asking questions - form an Investigative question (you cannot solve the problem until you know exactly what it is.
  2. Step 2. Research the problem (what will it take to solve the problem?; what do you know?; what do you need to know?
  3. Step 3. Form a hypothesis (a possible, logical, practical solution or to the problem; also a informed, educated guess or prediction; sometimes also a reasonable answer to the investigative question). A good hypothesis states the influence of the independent variable on the dependant variable
  4. Step 4. Test the hypothesis with an investigation (perform an experiment to see if the hypothesis leads to solving the problem). Try to identify as many as possible variables which can interfere with the experiment. By fixing these variables (fixed variables or control variables) you will have a Fair test. A fair test is where you test the influence of one variable on the other variable without other variables interfering with the investigation. A fair test will ensure that you data is reliable.
  5. Step 5. Collect, record and analyse data. Make observations and record all the results. Categorise the information in a table. Draw a suitable graph of the results. If all of the data is quantitive then draw a line graph with independent variable on the x-axis and the independent variable on the y-axis.

Note:

It is very important that the learners should understand the terms mentioned above. It is advisable that the teacher will explain to the learners all of the Core knowledge and concepts. It is recommended that you explain the Scientific Method in detail before you give the learners the Project.

Learner Section

Topic for investigation:

Insert learner topic description here.

Table 2
Date due:  

Learning Outcome/s:

(usually LO1 - Scientific investigation and LO2- Constructing Science knowledge)

Assessment Standards

Insert assessment standard information here

Core knowledge and Important concepts

Insert the relevant information regarding the scientific method, dependant and independant variables, fixed variables, hypothesis, graphs etc.

Background

The following need to be addressed on the learner instruction template:

  • Set a problem for the learners to solve (usually in the form of an investigative question): e.g. What is the relationship between the amount of water given to a plant and the growth of the plant?
  • Guide the learners on how to solve the problem; make sure that you state the problem clearly on the learner information sheet and that the instructions are clear.

Assessment:

  • Supply learners with the rubric and/or checklist
  • Set up a rubric in such a way that the learner will be informed in a indirect way what need to be done. It is advised that the rubric should have Criteria, Level Descriptors and mark allocations.
  • Explain to them how they will be assessed (peer/educator/self)

Resources

This can be the textbook, internet, library books, magazines, apparatus, everything you need to perform the research

Process

Engage in the following steps:

  1. Step 1. State the problem by asking questions - form an Investigative question (you cannot solve the problem until you know exactly what it is.
  2. Step 2. Research the problem (what will it take to solve the problem?; what do you know?; what do you need to know?
  3. Step 3. Form a hypothesis (a possible, logical, practical solution or to the problem; also a informed, educated guess or prediction; sometimes also a reasonable answer to the investigative question). A good hypothesis states the influence of the independent variable on the dependant variable
  4. Step 4. Test the hypothesis with an investigation (perform an experiment to see if the hypothesis leads to solving the problem). Try to identify as many as possible variables which can interfere with the experiment. By fixing these variables (fixed variables or control variables) you will have a Fair test. A fair test is where you test the influence of one variable on the other variable without other variables interfering with the investigation. A fair test will ensure that you data is reliable.
  5. Step 5. Collect, record and analyse data. Make observations and record all the results. Categorise the information in a table. Draw a suitable graph of the results. If all of the data is quantitive then draw a line graph with independent variable on the x-axis and the independent variable on the y-axis.

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