Lesson Plan
Individual Inquiry Project Outline
Students will be able to apply the scientific method to a personal question or problem, designing and documenting their own experiment.
Understanding and applying the scientific method helps students develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deeper appreciation for how scientific knowledge is generated, all while exploring topics relevant to their own lives.
Audience
10th Grade Student
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Guided independent inquiry and reflection.
Materials
Your Scientific Journey (Slide Deck)[#your-scientific-journey], My Own Science Experiment Guide (Project Guide)[#my-own-science-experiment-guide], and Experiment Log and Reflection (Journal)[#experiment-log-and-reflection]
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Individual Inquiry Project Outline, Your Scientific Journey slide deck, My Own Science Experiment Guide, and Experiment Log and Reflection to familiarize yourself with the lesson content.
- Ensure access to presentation equipment for the slide deck.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook
10 minutes
- Begin with a brief discussion: "What makes a question 'scientific'?"
- Introduce the concept of personal inquiry and how the scientific method can be applied to everyday questions. (Refer to Your Scientific Journey slides 1-2)
Step 2
Exploring the Scientific Method
20 minutes
- Guide students through the steps of the scientific method using the Your Scientific Journey slide deck.
- Emphasize how each step builds upon the previous one.
- Encourage questions and provide real-world examples relevant to their interests.
Step 3
Project Introduction & Planning
30 minutes
- Introduce the My Own Science Experiment Guide as their primary resource for designing their personal inquiry project.
- Allow students time to brainstorm potential questions and start outlining their experiment using the guide.
- Circulate to provide individual support and guidance, helping students refine their questions and initial experimental designs.
Step 4
Documenting & Reflecting
20 minutes
- Explain the purpose of the Experiment Log and Reflection journal.
- Guide students on how to systematically document their hypothesis, procedure, observations, and conclusions.
- Emphasize the importance of detailed and honest reflection throughout their experiment journey.
Step 5
Wrap-up & Next Steps
10 minutes
- Briefly recap the key takeaways regarding the scientific method and personal inquiry.
- Assign students to continue working on their My Own Science Experiment Guide and begin their Experiment Log and Reflection as homework.
- Address any remaining questions and set expectations for the project timeline.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Your Scientific Journey: Discovering the World Around You
What makes a question 'scientific'?
How can we investigate our own curiosities?
Welcome students and introduce the idea of science being all around us, not just in labs. Ask them to think about a question they've had recently.
Science Isn't Just for Scientists!
The scientific method is a tool for anyone to explore the world.
It helps us answer questions logically and systematically.
Introduce the idea of using the scientific method for personal inquiries. Emphasize that it's a flexible framework.
Step 1: Ask a Question
What are you curious about?
It should be something you can investigate and measure.
Examples: "Does listening to music improve focus while studying?" or "Which brand of paper towel is the most absorbent?"
Explain the first step: Ask a Question. Give examples of good scientific questions versus non-scientific questions.
Step 2: Do Background Research
What is already known about your question?
Look for information in books, articles, or reliable websites.
This helps you understand the topic and refine your question.
Explain background research and its importance. Where can they find reliable information?
Step 3: Formulate a Hypothesis
An educated guess about the answer to your question.
It's a statement that can be tested.
Example: "If students listen to classical music while studying, then their test scores will improve."
Define hypothesis and give examples. Emphasize it's an educated guess.
Step 4: Design and Conduct an Experiment
Create a step-by-step plan to test your hypothesis.
Identify your variables:
- Independent Variable: What you change.
- Dependent Variable: What you measure.
- Controlled Variables: What you keep the same.
Explain how to design an experiment that tests the hypothesis. Introduce variables (independent, dependent, controlled).
Step 5: Collect and Analyze Data
Carefully observe and record what happens during your experiment.
Organize your data (e.g., in a table or graph) to look for patterns and trends.
Discuss how to observe and record data accurately. Mention different ways to collect data (notes, tables, graphs).
Step 6: Draw a Conclusion
Based on your data, did your experiment support your hypothesis?
Explain why or why not.
What did you learn from your experiment?
Explain how to draw a conclusion based on the data. Was the hypothesis supported or not? What does it mean?
Step 7: Share Your Results (and Repeat!)
Tell others what you found!
Your findings might lead to new questions and new experiments.
Science is a cycle of discovery!
Emphasize that science is an ongoing process. What's next after a conclusion?
Your Turn! Be a Scientist!
You're ready to apply the scientific method to your own question.
Use your My Own Science Experiment Guide and Experiment Log and Reflection to start your inquiry!
Transition to their individual projects.
Project Guide
My Own Science Experiment Guide
This guide will help you design and conduct your very own science experiment! Follow these steps carefully.
Step 1: Ask a Question
What are you curious about? Your question should be something you can investigate and measure. It should not be a yes/no question, but rather one that leads to an experiment.
My Scientific Question:
Step 2: Do Background Research
Before you start, find out what others already know about your topic. Use reliable sources (books, scientific articles, educational websites). Summarize your findings here.
My Background Research Notes:
Step 3: Formulate a Hypothesis
Based on your research, make an educated guess about the answer to your question. Your hypothesis should be a testable statement, often in an "If... then... because..." format.
My Hypothesis:
Step 4: Design Your Experiment
Plan how you will test your hypothesis. Be very specific!
Materials Needed:
- List all the materials you will use.
Procedure:
- Write down the step-by-step instructions for your experiment. Be so clear that someone else could follow them exactly.
Variables:
- Independent Variable (What I change):
- Dependent Variable (What I measure):
- Controlled Variables (What I keep the same):
Step 5: Plan for Data Collection
How will you record your observations and measurements? Describe the type of data you expect to collect and how you will organize it.
My Data Collection Plan:
Step 6: Anticipate Your Conclusion
What kind of results would support your hypothesis? What kind of results would not? Thinking about this now will help you interpret your data later.
My Anticipated Conclusions:
Remember to use your Experiment Log and Reflection to record everything once you start your actual experiment!
Journal
Experiment Log and Reflection
Use this journal to document your experiment journey. Be thorough and honest in your observations and reflections.
Experiment Title:
My Hypothesis (from My Own Science Experiment Guide):
Date Experiment Began:
Daily Log Entries
Date:
What did I do today? (Specific steps from my procedure):
My Observations (What did I see, hear, smell, feel? Any measurements?):
Any problems or unexpected results? How did I adapt?
My thoughts/questions for tomorrow:
Date:
What did I do today? (Specific steps from my procedure):
My Observations (What did I see, hear, smell, feel? Any measurements?):
Any problems or unexpected results? How did I adapt?
My thoughts/questions for tomorrow:
Date:
What did I do today? (Specific steps from my procedure):
My Observations (What did I see, hear, smell, feel? Any measurements?):
Any problems or unexpected results? How did I adapt?
My thoughts/questions for tomorrow:
Conclusion and Reflection
Date Experiment Concluded:
My Data Analysis:
- Summarize your observations and measurements. What patterns or trends did you notice?
Did my data support my hypothesis? Why or why not?
What did I learn from this experiment?
If I were to do this experiment again, what would I change or improve?
What new questions did this experiment raise for me?