Class: Biology
Unit/Topic: Understanding scientific
inquiry and ability to conduct inquiry
(Scientific Method)
Melissa, Jennifer, Dana, Nick
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What is science?
 Science is “The observation, identification, description,
experimental investigation and theoretical explanation of
natural phenomenon.” (American Heritage Dictionary
2009)
 In journal write your definition for each of the above
terms (i.e. observation)
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Learning Goals
I will evaluate a scientific investigating that include
testable questions, verifiable hypothesis, and
appropriate variables to explore new phenomena or
verify the experimental results of others.
 I will analyze and interpret data (NGSS practice 4),
Constructing explanations (NGSS practice 6),
obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
(NGSS practice 8)
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Vocab
 Vocab key terms glossary and flash cards
 Science
Hypothesis
 Experiment
Identify
 Observation
Predict
 Scientific Theory
dependent Variable
 Independent Variable Control Variable
 http://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/introducing_flow_
hs.html
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Checks (15 minutes total)
http://www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/lessons/chec.lab.pdf
 In groups of four take one envelope. “Don’t




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open it yet”
Draw out four random checks without
looking
Try to place in order and create a
reasoning for why these four checks were
written (five minutes)
Draw out four more and add to original
story line (five minutes)
Draw two more checks out and add to story
line 5 minutes)
http://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/pdfs/alvarez_hs.pdf short version
http://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/pdfs/alvarez_woflow.pdf long version
 Article read go through and highlight all of the words or

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phrases that indicate Alvarez was doing science. For
instance, you might begin by highlighting "looking for
independent verification.“ (8 minutes)
With a partner, discuss (2 minutes)
Our
Scientific
Method
http://undsci.berkeley
.edu/lessons/pdfs/co
mplex_flow_handout.
pdf
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What did you highlight
 Discuss and number each highlight as a class, and
place in the appropriate circle on our sheet.
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Exit Slip (formative assessment)
 Return to your original definitions of science. Would
you now make any changes? Discuss. 
 (formative option for homework)
Give alternative article on Discovery of DNA structure
 http://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/pdfs/dna_simple.pdf
short version
 http://undsci.berkeley.edu/lessons/pdfs/dna_complex.p
df long version

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