Elementary Science

Science Focus LessonWeek 10

Week 10 – SC.H.1.2.2Benchmark: The student knows that a

successful method to explore the natural world is to observe and record, and then analyze and communicate the results.

Essential Question: Why do scientists record their observations

and communicate their results to others?

Vocabulary:observation data analyze communicate

Click on the picture

How do Scientists find answers to questions?

Fill in the flow chart to show the sequential way that a scientist could solve problems

about the natural world.

Identify a ProblemPredict

Experiment

Observe and Collect DataRecord Data

Construct a Graph Analyze DataCommunicate Results

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

SummarizingIn your Science notebook use these words

to explain how a scientist uses science to explore and understand the natural world.

Problem

Predict

Experiment

Observe Record

GraphAnalyze

Communicate

A group of students wanted to know whether paper would fall faster if it

was left flat or if it was crumbled up. They predicted that the crumbled paper

would fall faster. They designed an experiment where they dropped the

paper from the same height and timed how long it took for the paper to fall.

They repeated the experiment 5 times with their paper flat and 5 times with

their paper folded.

Scientists keep careful records of their investigations. The pieces of

information collected in an investigation are called data.

Measurements should be recorded in a chart and should include both

numbers and units of measure.Trial Time to Fall

(Flat)Time to Fall (Crumbled)

1 2.3 s 0.9 s2 2.4 s 1.1 s3 1.9 s 0.8 s4 2.1 s 1.0 s5 1.8 s 1.2 sAverage 2.1 s 1 s

Scientists construct graphs to illustrate the data that they collect. This makes it easier

to analyze the data and understand the answer to their question.

Time to Fall (Flat) Time to Fall (Crumbled) 0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

Time for Paper to Fall

Tim

e i

n S

econds

Scientists analyze their graph to check to see if their hypothesis was supported and

to reach a logical conclusion to their question. They communicate with other

scientists to share their results.In collaborative pairs, discuss the following…

Partner 1: According to the data, what is the answer to the purpose question, “Which paper fell fastest, the flat paper or the crumbled paper?”

Partner 2: Was the original hypothesis supported by the data or not?

SummarizingDraw a graph of this data in your

science notebook. (Hint-graph only the average data)Trial Force of Friction

on Sand PaperForce of Friction on Glass

1 5 N 2 N2 4 N 1 N3 6 N 1 N4 5 N 2 N5 5 N 1 NAverage 5 N 1.4 N

Write the logical conclusion based on this data.

Which of the following is the best way that scientists have success when they explore and learn about the natural world?

A. reading books and magazines about the natural worldB. going on-line to search for informationC. completing experiments in the labD. observing and recording, then analyzing and communicating data

“D” is the correct answer! Scientists must collect, record and analyze

the data from their experiment in order to draw conclusions about the natural world.

A. Reading books and magazines provides excellent background information but does not answer a specific question

B. On-line resources may or may not be valid, if from a reliable source they can provide good background information but do not answer new questions

C. Data from experiments needs to be recorded and analyzed in order to learn anything

D. Accurately recorded and analyzed data allows scientists to reach logical conclusions

Why do scientists publish the results of their experiments?

A. so that other scientists can see that they are working

B. to make moneyC. so that other scientists can learn

from what they didD. so that publishers can print books

on science

“C” is the correct answer!When a scientist shares the results of an experiment,

other scientists can check the results by repeating the experiment. If many people get the same results, everyone can be pretty sure the results are correct.

A. Scientists do not need to check to see if other scientists are working.

B. Scientists make money even when they are not sharing results, it is a part of their job.

C. One person’s discoveries can lead to new discoveries by other people. This can only happen if people communicate their results.

D. Publishers may print books, but that is not the purpose of sharing!

SummarizingAnswer the Essential Question in your

Science notebook.

Essential Question:What are some reasons scientists keep careful records during their experiments?

Check Your Understanding1. Why is it most important to keep

accurate records during an experiment?

A. Records help others know the results they are supposed to get.B. Records show that the experimenter is working on a project.C. Records show what the experimenter did and what their results were so the experiment can be repeated.D. Records can be kept in a notebook and saved.

C is the correct answer!Scientists keep careful records so they can go

back and study what they did and the results they got. They also keep careful records so they can repeat the experiment and so other scientists can also repeat the experiment.

2. Josh hypothesized that bigger pine cones have more seeds than smaller ones. He found ten big pine cones and ten small ones from the same tree and shook all the seeds out into separate piles. He thought the pile of seeds from the big cones looked larger than the pile from the smaller cones. How could he improve his investigation?

A. He should count the seeds to see which pile has more seeds.

B. He should weigh the seeds to see which pile is heavier.

C. He should line the seeds up and measure each row of seeds.

D. He should only gather seeds from one large cone and one small cone.

A is the answer!A. He should count the seeds to see which pile has

more seeds. His hypothesis was that the bigger cones would have more seeds. Counting the seeds would give him the data needed to determine if his hypothesis was supported or not supported.

B. Weighing the seeds to see which pile is heavier would not give him accurate date since the seeds could weigh different amounts.

C. Lining the seeds up and measure each row of seeds would not give him accurate data since the seeds could be different sizes.

D. Gathering seeds from one large cone and one small cone would not be enough data.

3. A scientist was performing a series of experiments. During one of these experiments, it appeared she had discovered a new way to generate electricity. It didn't create any pollution and it used water as fuel. What should she do next?

A. Report it in the newspapers so everyone will know about this new energy source.

B. Keep it secret so no one else will copy her idea.

C. Sell her idea to the power company so she will get rich.

D. Repeat her experiment several more times to see if it works the same way each time.

D is the correct answer!

D. Repeat her experiment several more times to see if it works the same way each time.

It is important that the scientist makes sure that her results are valid and reliable by performing the experiment multiple times to see if the results are consistent.

4. Alexis has completed her lab experiment. She wants to communicate her results to other students in her class so they can compare their results to hers.How could Alexis communicate her data to her classmates in a way that is easy to understand?A. make one copy for everyone to shareB. read all her data out loudC. make a graph to show the classD. pass her data around to everyone

C is the correct answer!C. Alexis should make a graph to show the class.

Once your data is collected, making a graph with the data is a good way to help you look for patterns in the data. It is also a good way to communicate your data to others.

SummarizingWrite in your Science notebook…

Why do scientists record their observations and communicate their results to others?

CitationsThe Scientific Method: Airspace and Sound. Joyce Fox Productions. 1997.Discovery Education. 23 October 2009. <http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/>