Developing Independent Inquiry
through Engaging Investigations
Stephanie Minor, BSc BEd
[email protected]
DSBN Academy
District School Board of Niagara
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Agenda
1. 3 Engaging Introductory Investigations
2. What is Smarter Science?
3. 3 Grade 8 Investigations
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Use scissors to cut a piece of paper so it will pass over 2 people
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What is Smarter Science?
Smarter Science is an engaging framework for:
• teaching and learning science
• developing skills of inquiry, creativity and innovation in a meaningful and engaging manner 4
Why Smarter Science works: • students are engaged in scientific inquiry because they investigate their own questions
• students become the "experts", and investigate answers to their questions, not teachers!
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Smarter Science Steps to Inquiry
• posters help guide students through the inquiry process 6
Paper Cutting Investigation What could you change that might affect the size of the hole?
number of cuts
shape of paper
size of paper
zig zag lines
length of cuts
number of folds
fold direction
angle of cuts
type of paper
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Paper Cutting Investigation Experiment Design
• What is the independent variable in your experiment?
• What is the dependent variable?
• What variables need to be controlled?
• How many trials should you do?
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Predict
Explain
How will your change
affect the hole?
Explain
Observe
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Characteristics of an Engaging Introductory Investigation
• an introductory "demo" that gets students to question
• many possible independent variables
• minimal equipment and materials
• can be done in 2 classes
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4 5 9 1 3 9 4 0 8 1 8 7 3 5 2 1 5 2 6 9 3 2 8 5 3 1 0 4 5 8 3 2 7 4 5 8 3 01 3 What is the best 5 7 4 5 9 1 3 9 4 0 8 1 8 7 3 5 2 1 5 2 way to remember 6 9 3 2 8 5 3 1 0 4 5 8 3 2 7 4 5 8 3 a 10­digit 01 3 5 7 4 5 9 1 3 9 4 0 8 1 8 7 3 5 2 number?
1 5 2 6 9 3 2 8 5 3 1 0 4 5 8 3 2 7 4 5 8 3 01 3 5 7 7 4 5 9 1 3 9 4 0 5 2 1 5 2 6 9 3 2 1 3 9 4 0 8 1 2 1 5 2 6 9 3 2 11
Remembering Numbers Investigation Question
What could you change that might affect how well you remember the number?
(independent variables)
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Remembering Numbers Investigation Add images to each number
Does the number of times you write it down affect memory?
Does reading it out loud help memory?
Independent Variables
Tap the number
Say the number out loud
Does making number into a song affect memory?
Does who you practise memorizing with affect memory?
Does rhythm (rap)
affect memory?
Does amount of time you stare affect memory?
Chunk the number
Does making a rhyme help memory?
Does number of times you repeat saying affect memory?
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Predict
Explain
How will your change affect how well you remember the number?
Explain
Observe
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Does toast always fall butter side down?
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Tumbling Toast
Investigation Question
What could you change that might affect if the toast falls butter side up or down?
(independent variables)
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Tumbling Toast
Investigation The height of the table
Independent Variables
How hard you push
Size of bread
Amount of butter
Crust or no crust
Butter side up vs butter side down to start
Spot on table
Bites out of it
Thickness of bread
If butter melts in or sits on top
Toasted or not toasted
Shape of bread
Type of bread
Topping
The amount of toasting
Number of pieces of toast
Surface of table
Mouldy
On plate
Toast starts on crust edge
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How many trials should we do?
Trial
Up/Down
Why?
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Predict
How will your change
affect how the toast falls?
Explain
Observe
Explain
Trial
Up/Down
Trial
Up/Down
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Grade 8 Curriculum Related Smarter Science Investigations
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Yeast Metabolism Investigation
Cells
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Predict
Explain
What changes will occur when the 2 Explain
substances are mixed?
Observe
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Yeast Metabolism Investigation
temperature of water
type of sugar
Independent Variables
amount of water
stirring or not
amount of yeast
size of container
amount of sugar
order of ingredients
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Yeast Investigation Report Exemplars
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Water Pollutant Investigation
Aquatic Systems
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Predict What changes will occur when the dark Explain
liquid is mixed with the clear liquids?
Explain
Observe
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Other than oil (which is often a visible contaminant), what substances could be found in water that could impact living things? 29
Water Pollutant Investigation
Independent Variables
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Heat Capacity of Fluids Investigation
Fluids / Aquatic Systems
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air
water
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Oil off Feather Investigation
Fluids Aquatic Systems
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