Delores Walker has been teaching for four years. This year,
she is the lab teacher, which was offered to her because
she uses technology with her students. She is curretly pursuing
a second master degree in TOESL.
New Activity:Chomp Test- as a motivation activity and to explain controlled
variables. Chomp is defined as a "big chew." The controlled variables
were using the same brand of gum, and chewing for 30 seconds.
Experiment - Students created their own experiments to
determine which conditions could make the taste last longer.
For example, one group thought the heat would affect the
sugar in the gum.
Instructional
Objectives
Students:
Learned about scientific investigation. They learned
how to design an experiment after forming a hypothesis.
Designed and conducted scientific investigations. They
had to collect and analyze data.
Presented their findings by creating charts and graphs.
Technology Integration
Students used the internet to learn more about bubble gum. Used Microsoft
Word to type their science experiment worksheet. Digital pictures
were taken as students blew their bubbles. They used Microsoft Excel
to create their graphs.
Assessment
1) Students had to answer a series of reflective questions.
2) Students' science experiment worksheets were reviewed
to make sure they had completed it accurately and to provide
assistance if necessary.
3) Students final products were assessed to determine if
the students had selected the appropriate graph to represent
the data.
Tips for Teachers
For
younger students, the teacher could have students to conduct
a simple experiment using bubble gum. For example, the chomp
test, which I used for motivation, could be done with young
students. Provide them table charts so they can insert the
number of times they chewed the gum. Create a class graph by
listing across the board the various totals and have each student
place a post-it above the number that represents him/her. Transfer
this information on a graph.
Teachers could modify the experiment by having
the students measure the circumference instead of the diameter
(see question #2). They could do this by cutting strips of
paper and use them to measure the blown bubbles.
Student Work Samples
Click on each thumbnail to see a full-screen version.
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