Lesson Plan
Applying the Scientific Method: The Chewing Gum Lab by ECSDM
Subject
Math, Science & Technology, Science (NYS P-12)
Grade Levels
Intermediate, 6th Grade
Procedure
Day 1
- If you have access to the Brain POP web site, before beginning this activity have students view the scientific method movie and participate in the interactive quiz that follows. They can also view the related lab activity with Bob the Lab Rat.
- Teacher will then showcase the attached PowerPoint presentation on the SMART Board, which walks students through the application of the scientific method as a systematic approach to problem solving as they perform an experiment to solve the following problem: Which brand/type of chewing gum will have the longest lasting flavor?
- Students will then begin the lab activity and carry out the experiment by following the procedure found on slide number 6 of the PowerPoint presentation and utilize the related data sheet attached.
Day 2
- Class will create a bar graph in a whole class setting using the SMART Notebook software template attached based on the accumulated class data and analysis of the results to be included in the data portion of their lab reports.
- Through the use of the SMART Board in a whole class setting, the teacher and students will then review the expectations for writing a formal lab report referring to the attached “How to Write a Formal Lab Report” document and “Lab Report Rubric” document .
- Students will then be required to follow the criteria described in the lab rubric and formulate a formal lab report for this experiment with a future due date to be announced.
Description
This lab activity was adapted from the Brain POP web site due to its ease for students to apply the basic steps of the scientific method and evaluate its effectiveness as a problem-solving approach as demonstrated in the creation of their first formal lab reports.
Website(s)
Brain POP
Objectives
Apply the scientific method as a way of problem-solving
Formulate a formal lab report
Materials
Assessment
Individual conferencing, responses to questions posed, PowerPoint questions/responses and formal lab report rubric.
Duration
Approximately two 45-minute class sessions.
