Virtual Experiment Scenarios: The Great Communication Challenge

Instructions for Partners:

• One partner will be the Communicator (verbally instructing).
• The other partner will be the Doer/Recorder (following instructions and taking notes).
• The Communicator cannot use hand gestures or point. All instructions must be verbal.
• The Doer/Recorder must ask clarifying questions if anything is unclear.
• Switch roles after Scenario 1.

Scenario 1: The Mysterious Plant Growth

Background: You have two identical plants. You want to see if adding a special nutrient solution to one plant affects its growth compared to the other plant, which only receives water. You have a dropper, a measuring cup, a ruler, and the nutrient solution.

Communicator's Goal: Verbally instruct your partner how to set up an experiment to test the nutrient solution's effect on plant growth. Be precise about quantities, timing, and observation methods.

Doer/Recorder's Task: Follow the instructions exactly as given. If something isn't clear, ask for clarification. Record all instructions and observations.

Key Elements to Communicate/Observe:

• How to prepare the plants (e.g., labeling).
• How much water/solution to add and how often.
• How to measure plant growth (e.g., what part of the plant, units).
• What specific observations to look for (e.g., leaf color, texture, new shoots).
• How often to make observations.

Scenario 2: Identifying an Unknown Powder

Background: You have three unknown white powders (labeled A, B, and C) and you suspect one of them is baking soda. You also have vinegar, water, and an iodine solution. You know that baking soda reacts with vinegar (fizzing), dissolves in water, and does not react with iodine. Salt dissolves in water but does not react with vinegar or iodine. Cornstarch does not dissolve well in water, does not react with vinegar, but turns black with iodine.

Communicator's Goal: Verbally instruct your partner how to design and carry out a series of tests to identify which powder is baking soda. Be clear about the order of tests, amounts, and what observations indicate a positive or negative result.

Doer/Recorder's Task: Follow the instructions exactly as given. If something isn't clear, ask for clarification. Record all instructions and observations.

Key Elements to Communicate/Observe:

• Which powder to test first with which reagent.
• How much powder/reagent to use.
• What specific reactions/changes to look for (e.g., fizzing, dissolving, color change).
• How to interpret the results to identify baking soda.
• How to keep track of results for each powder.

Think-Aloud Partner Activity: Communicating for Discovery

Purpose:

To practice clear, precise, and thorough verbal communication in a scientific context. You will work with a partner to guide them through a virtual experiment scenario, focusing on articulating every step, observation, and question.

Roles:

Partner A: The Communicator

Your job is to verbally guide your partner through the Virtual Experiment Scenarios. You must:

• Explain every step of the procedure clearly and sequentially.
• Describe all expected observations before they happen, and then confirm actual observations.
• Articulate any questions or hypotheses you have as you go.
• Use precise scientific language (e.g., "add 5 milliliters of water," not "add some water").
• Avoid gestures or pointing. Your voice is your only tool.

Partner B: The Doer/Recorder

Your job is to listen carefully, follow instructions precisely, and record everything. You must:

• Only perform actions that are verbally instructed. If an instruction is unclear, you must ask for clarification.
• Record all procedures, observations, and questions as they are communicated.
• Ask clarifying questions if an instruction is vague, ambiguous, or incomplete (e.g., "How much water?" "When should I add it?").
• Do not anticipate steps. Wait for your partner to tell you what to do.

Activity Steps:

1. Read the Scenario: Both partners read the assigned Virtual Experiment Scenarios silently.
2. Partner A Guides: Partner A begins by verbally guiding Partner B through the first scenario.
3. Partner B Records & Clarifies: Partner B records Partner A's instructions, observations, and questions, and asks for clarification when needed.
4. Switch Roles: After completing the first scenario, switch roles for the second scenario. Partner B becomes the Communicator, and Partner A becomes the Doer/Recorder.

Reflection Questions (Discuss with your partner after both scenarios are complete):

• What was challenging about being the Communicator? How did you try to be more precise?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• What was challenging about being the Doer/Recorder? What kinds of questions did you find yourself asking?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Can you identify a moment where a small communication error could have significantly impacted the experiment?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How did using the vocabulary (Hypothesis, Observation, Procedure, Variable, Collaborate) help in your communication?