Lab Topic 1
Science: A Way of Gathering Knowledge

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Student Objective

Students form a hypothesis, design and conduct an experiment to test that hypothesis, and draw conclusions from the data about the hypothesis. Students also analyze data and writing for its scientific validity.

Equipment Amount
  Class of 24 with 6 groups
Plywood box or step 12" W ¥ 8" H ¥ 18" W 6/lab
Stopwatch or other timekeeping device 6/lab
Materials  
Photocopies of newspaper, magazine, and journal articles covering same scientific discovery 1 pkg/group
6/lab
Popular science magazines, demo several
Referred Journals demo several

Preparation

Make sure plywood box or other stepping device is of sound construction.

Also check that box will not slide on floor as students are stepping.

Classroom Suggestions

  1. Several examples of popular press vs. academic publications about the same topic such as cloning should be provided in the classroom so that students can compare different styles.
  2. This exercise provides a good "ice-breaking" atmosphere. Use overheads and markers and copies of printed "outlandish" articles to encourage student interaction and interest.

Supplemental Materials

Critical Thinking: A Collection of Readings. Dubuque, IA: WCB/McGraw-Hill.

Virtual Physiology CD-ROM/Respiration and Exercise. Dubuque, IA: WCB/McGraw-Hill.

Biology Explorer/Respiratory System or Cardiovascular System. Cambridge, MA: Logal Software, Inc.