EDCI 5724

Kirsten Hurme

 

Temperature and the Scientific Method Lesson Plan:

Sixth Grade General Science
(Probeware Lab)

 

Purpose/Rationale:        The purpose of this lesson is for students to investigate temperature

and the Scientific Method using the 5-E Learning Model. By participating

in discrepant events, students will understand boiling and freezing points,

and how to follow the traditional Scientific Method.

 

SOL’s:                         SCI6.1             The student will plan and conduct investigations in which

·        differences in descriptions and working definitions are made;

·        precise and approximate measures are recorded;

·        scale models are used to estimate distance, volume, and quantity;

·        hypotheses are stated in ways that identify the independent (manipulated) and dependent (responding) variables;

·        a method is devised to test the validity of predictions and inferences;

·        one variable is manipulated over time with many repeated trials;

·        data are collected, recorded, analyzed, and reported using appropriate metric measurement.

                       

 

Materials/Resources:     Activity sheet                Tablespoon measurement

                                    balance             Large bolt

                                    String                           Small bolt

                                    Salt                              Various metallic objects           

                                    Water                           (2) Vernier Temperature Probes (Probeware)  

                                    Ice                               Data Logger

                                    (5) 250-mL beaker       Serial Box Interface and ULI

                                    hot plate                       IBM or MAC computer

                                                                       

 

Learning Websites:

 

Safety:                          Safety goggles must be worn during the activities that require

                                    students to heat water to boiling. (not necessary if done as Demo)

 

 

Procedures:                 

 

Engage                        1.         The teacher will engage the students in learning about heat,

                                                temperature, and heat transfer by demonstrating the

            discrepant event “Boiling Bolts.” The teacher will probe

            students’ prior knowledge of heat and temperature by

            asking open-ended questions (See Activity Sheet)

[15 minutes]

 

Explore                       3.         Students will explore heat and Scientific Method by completing the

discrepant event “Freezing Objects.” Students will select two objects of their choice (such as a paperclip and a nail) to replace the large bolt

and nail to replicate the “Bolt and Nail” discrepant event except by using ice inside of boiling water.  [15 minutes]

 

Explain                        4.         Students will create a table listing all the objects, their mass, and the temperature                                                            of the water in the beaker containing each object at 30-second intervals for a                                                     period of 2 minutes, and also calculating the difference in initial and final                                                                         temperatures of the water for each object. [10 minutes]

 

Elaborate                    6.         Students will extend their understanding of heat transfer by

completing the “Melting Ice” activity. Students will discuss heat transfer in the salted and non-salted ice. [20 minutes]

 

Evaluate                     7.         Students will provide the following evidence for

                                                understanding temperature, heat, and heat transfer.

 

                                   

Performance Criteria

Evidence

Points*

Student understands the proper metric units required in the activity.

Completion of “Boiling Bolts” activity with student explanation on activity sheet.

 

Student demonstrates ability to create a table and graph of data.

Completion of “Freezing Objects” and additional object testing activities; proper labeling and placement of data in table and graph.

 

Student discusses the analysis and application of data.

Completion of “Melting Ice” activity; student answers questions on activity sheet.

 

 

 

 

 

*2 = completes activity and explanation without mistakes.

  1 = completes activity but provides incomplete explanation

  0 = does not complete activity or explanation


Sixth Grade Science                                                                                         Probeware Lesson Plan

Ms. Hurme                                                                                                           September 16, 2003

Scientific Method and Temperature

Activity Sheet

 

Boiling Bolts Beaker Experiment

Engage-

HYPOTHESIZE:

1. Which bolt (bigger or smaller) do you think will raise the temperature of the water the most?

 

 

OBSERVE:

2. What metric unit will we use to measure the temperature?

 

3.What metric unit will we use to measure the mass?

 

4. The boiling point of water is   _______ ?

 

5. What is the initial temperature of the water?

 

6. What is the final temperature of the water in the beaker with the big bolt?

 

7.  What is the final temperature of the water in the beaker with the small bolt?

 

8.  If the initial temperature of the water was 22.3 ‘C and the final temperature was 25.8 ‘C, how much did the temperature change?

 

25.8 ‘C  - 22.3 ‘C  =  ________’C

 

9.  What is the control for this experiment?

 

 

Freezing Objects Experiment

Explore-

COLLECT DATA:          

Please pick four (4) objects and list them on the chart below. 

 

Measure each object’s mass and record it in the second column. 

 

Measure the temperature in the beaker before adding the object (initial).  Record the value in the third column.

 

Now place the object in the beaker and record the temperature every 30 seconds.  Put the values in their corresponding column. 

 

Next determine the difference in temperature over the 2-minute time period and record that value in the last column.  Please show your work for one (1) example.

 

 

Object

Mass (g)

Initial Temp.

of water
 (oC)

30-sec. water temp.

(oC)

60-sec. water temp.

(oC)

90-sec. water temp.

(oC)

120-sec. water temp.

(oC)

Change

in water temp.

(oC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explain-

ANALYZE:

Now choose two (2) of the objects you tested and graph the change in temperature over time on a separate piece of paper and don’t forget to label your axis.

 

1. What is the INDEPENDENT variable?

 

2. What is the DEPENDENT variable?

 

3. Are your axis labeled appropriately?

 

 

 

 

Evaluate-

CONCLUDE:

1. Which of the four (4) objects tested had greatest mass?

 

 

2. Which of the four (4) objects tested changed the temperature of the water the most?

 

 

 

 

Extra Thinking!!!

Why do they put salt on the roads during the wintertime?

 

 

 

Let’s see what happens with a “Melting Ice” experiment!