Posts Tagged ‘scientific method’
Introducing The Scientific Method – A New Idea
Posted by: Scott on: May 19, 2009
I’ve been listening to Carl Sagan’s A Demon Haunted World on tape in the car and I’m awash with new ideas. Next year, as part of the introduction to the scientific method, I need to draw a line on the board. On the left, I will write “Gullible,” on the right, “Skeptical.” If someone is [...]
Powers of Observation
Posted by: Scott on: January 7, 2009
(This was submitted by Duane, a High School teacher in Georgia. Thank you Duane.) One fun “observation vs. conclusion / assumption” demo that I love came from Flinn Scientific’s “A Demo A Day” for Chemistry. I call it the “Potato Candle”. Cut a cylindrical core (apple corers work well) from a potato – rinse it [...]
Introducing the Scientific Method
Posted by: Scott on: August 24, 2008
I just got this idea in the shower this morning. Here’s the basic lesson: Divide the class into groups. Give each group a complete but non-working flashlight. Ask them to look at the flashlight, but not take it apart. They are to predict why it isn’t working and propose a solution. They need to come [...]
First Day Demo
Posted by: Scott on: June 2, 2008
I do this demonstration on the first day of school to get the students attention. After talking about the syllabus, what is physics, making them think, etc, I ask them which falls faster, a heavy object or a light object? I get the discussion going and everybody into it, then I jump up on my [...]
Mythbusters & The Scientific Method
Posted by: Scott on: May 31, 2008
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The popular show Mythbusters is a terrific example of the application of the scientific method. Early in the school year I introduce the scientific method. I then hand my class a worksheet that they fill in as they watch one of the episodes I have on DVD. They have to identify the hypothesis, controls, variables, [...]
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