Scientific Method: EITSBy: Devon Lee, Joanne Vanderhorst, John

Cary and Katie Lodes

2009

SummaryIn the traditional classroom, students often acquire scientific knowledge about how the world works but not necessarily an understanding of how science itself works which is necessary to be scientifically literate.

Summary

In this activity, students will explore the scientific method by using real-time footage from the Eye-In-The-Sea camera deployed approximately 900 meters down in Monterey Canyon, California.

Students will record their observations, formulate a testable hypothesis, analyze their data, draw conclusions, and present their findings to the class.

Objectives•Students will use real-time data to become excited and engaged in the scientific method.

•Students will gain an understanding of the terms and processes in the scientific method.

•Students will observe and record their findings from watching real-time data which can be used as evidence to construct or develop plausible explanations for their data. •Students will communicate their findings to their peers.

Materials

• Computers with internet access

• Process and Product rubrics

• Student worksheets for the lesson

• Student handouts for using VARS (our project)and EITS annotation (mini-vars) (Jennifer)

Procedure1. Students view real-time

footage of EITS2. Record observations3. Individually, generate

questions and predictions (pre-hypothesis)

4. Collaborate with groups5. In groups, refine

hypothesis.6. Conduct investigation

(use other resources)

Rubricsprocess and product

M, http://new-ssds.mbari.org/mars/marsCTD.jsp

http://www.mbari.org/vars/vars_query.html

We have included a handout in using

VARS

Handout for using VARS

Back to Procedure7. Conduct investigation8. Record data from EITS

and other sites9. Graphically organize data10. Develop a conclusion.

11. Publish findings.

12. Self-evaluate using same rubrics

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