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Subject

Math, Science & Technology, Science (NYS P-12)

Assessment

Rubrics are used to assess lab report and technical writing pieces.

Author

Maria Russo, Cohoes High School

Duration

3–4 days

Description

Objectives:

• Students will differentiate between mass and density.
• Students will write a report identifying what is technically incorrect with the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Activity:

• Teacher shows the first 10-15 minutes of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
• Teacher asks students, “What is technically wrong with the activities in the first part of the movie?” Direct them to Indiana Jones's use of sand to replace the golden idol.
• Students discuss the difference between mass and density.
• Teacher shows students the correct format for writing technical reports.
• Students write technical reports explaining the scientific inaccuracies in that portion of the movie.
• Students write letters to Steven Spielberg, explaining the inaccuracies in the movie and include the technical report for additional information.

Materials / Resources

• Video, Raiders of the Lost Ark
• Technical Writing for Success , Southwestern Publishing

Comments / Modifications

In addition to the technical writing piece, students could also do a typical density lab activity.

Source

Russo, Maria. “Is Indiana Jones Really That Smart?” In Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Resource Guide with Core Curriculum. New York State Department of Education, 186.

Related Academic Standards

New York State

CDOS.C.3a.BS.1.A Students use a combination of techniques to read or listen to complex information and analyze what they hear or read; convey information confidently and coherently in written or oral form; and analyze and solve mathematical problems requiring use of multiple computational skills.

CDOS.C.3a.TS.2.A Students demonstrate the ability to organize and process information and apply skills in new ways.

CDOS.C.3a.PQ.3.A Students demonstrate leadership skills in setting goals, monitoring progress, and improving their performance.

S.HS.PS.1.10  Use evidence to support claims regarding the formation, properties and behaviors of solutions at bulk scales.

S.HS.PS.1.7 Students who demonstrate understanding can use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.

MST4.C.C.PS3.3 Students apply the principle of conservation of mass to chemical reactions.

MST4.C.ES.PS3.1 Students explain the properties of materials in terms of the arrangement and properties of the atoms that compose them.