The Test

Well, here it is. My first blog since I signed on here and it is all about the test that we just took. Let's go...

1. The information gathered in an experiment is data.

2. The process of gathering knowledge about the natural world is science.

3. A series of steps followed to solve a problem is the Scientific Method.

4. The process of observing information through the sense is observation.

Several of you got Science and Observation confused. To clarify, Science involves making observations and other things to gain knowledge, like conducting research, seeing or reading what others have done, performing your own experiments. It is broader than simply making observations (watching, touching, smelling, tasting, hearing) about something; it also involves communicating that data and receiving feedback data in turn.

5. Diana Fossey wants to know more about gorillas in the Congo. (Curiosity)



6. Jacques Cousteau devised a way for humans to breathe underwater.
(Imagination/Creativity)
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7. Michael Fay took many notes when recording and classifying African animals so other scientists would be able to follow his progress.
(Intellectual Honesty)

Here again, we had some confusion. Let's clarify intellectual honesty and ethical responsibility...expect a revisit to this with a Venn Diagram later on.

Intellectual Honesty: involves honesty, making sure notes, data, and measurements are accurate so that someone else can follow them, establishing trust with other scientists so that they will believe your work

Ethical Responsibility: involves making sure you or no one else is harmed by the research or experiment you are conducting, informing participants or human subjects of the risks that are involved with an experiment, allowing said subjects/participants the option of refusing to participate for their own safety or benefit.

Yes, these two can be easily confused because they are so closely tied together (this is why I assigned the 7 habits connection for homework) but it is important to know that their is a difference. Good note taking might help someone else avoid unnecessary risks, but almost more importantly, they help establish and maintain credibility with one's own scientists.

8. Used to measure the distance between cities kilometers.

9. The typical soda bottle contains two of these liters.

10. 10 Degrees Celsius + 273 = 283 Degrees kelvin.

Very few people got any of these wrong.

11. You want to find out why some whales sometimes beach themselves on land. During your study, you notice that this always happens when large ships are nearby. What should be your next step?

A. Conduct an experiment to see if the ships are scaring the whales.

B. Form conclusions the ships are somehow scaring the whales.

C. Form a hypothesis that the ships are somehow frightening the whales.

The answer here is C. Confusing and tricky, yes it was, especially since the steps of the Scientific Method don't necessarily have to be followed in order. Still, you'd need a hypothesis before conducting an experiment so you'd know what to look for when trying to find why the whales beached themselves. It would be wrong to just conclude that ships in the area are to blame; first of all, you'd need proof and second, you have to eliminate all other factors (a change in water temperature, presence of undersea predators, illness in one or more of the whales, etc.). Thus you should form a hypothesis to test, in this case, that the ships are scaring the whales. then you experiment and then you draw your conclusion.


12. Ritchie is conducting an experiment to see if a person’s height affects their jumping ability in basketball. He wants to use the school basketball team as test subjects. How would he show ethical responsibility?

A. By not conducting this experiment and doing something else.

B. By conducting the experiment in an unsafe area but informing them of the risks and allowing them a chance to refuse to participate.

C. By conducting the experiment in a safe area, informing the team of any risks, and allowing them a chance to refuse to participate.

The answer, again, is C. Not conducting the experiment at all might be safe, but it leaves Ritchie with nothing to show for his study. Remember, we wouldn't even have science if no one dared to venture out and do the research. Conducting the experiment in an unsafe place, say on a court in n high crime area versus a nice, safe, indoor gym exposes Ritchie and the team to unnecessary risks. even if he informed the team of those risks, it is part of ethical responsibility to avoid as many dangers as possible if they are not needed for the sake of the experiment. A safe area (again the gym comes to mind) would allow Ritchie to conduct his experiment and as long as he still explains any unavoidable risks and allows the team the choice not to participate, he is ethically responsible.








Matching IV: Match the term to its correct meaning.

Seeing tools, eye wash, measuring tools, analyzing tools, emergency shower

13. You accidentally spill a box of itching powder onto yourself while reaching for lab supplies.

Emergency Shower

14. Meter stick, tape measure, ruler

Measuring Tools

15. Microscope, magnifying glass, binoculars

Seeing Tools


16. Your lab partner get sand particles in her face while helping to build a terrarium.

Eye Wash



17. Calculator, computer, your brain

Analyzing tools


Short Response: Answer the following question.

18. Accurate measurements and data keeping are important when answering a question, solving a problem, or conducting an experiment. Give two reasons why.

Here is the rubric for this short response question:

3/3

-You needed to state clearly that keeping accurate measurements involved intellectual honesty and would also help scientists who wanted to replicate, repeat, or modify the experiment by acting as a guide. Both of these had to be present in some form, although if you were able to tie it in with skepticism, peer review, or ethical responsibility, you would also be eligible for full three points.

2/3
-These generally included the responses that had one or none of the above but still made very valid points (keeping someone from getting hurt was the most common.)

1/3- the lowest I would give unless the wuestion was completely blank. This score is basically reverved for those answers with little or no substance. Simply saying that "you need accuate measurements to get your experiment right." wasn't the kind of response i was hoping for from some of you. I didn't get many of these but it was enough for me to want to start holding mini-lessons in class geared toward short responses. Also, we will be working more with extended responses. I didn't dish out any on this test but they are coming so I want everyone to be prepared.

Whew, that does it for debriefing the test on here. We will devote an in class discussion to this as well and I will be revisiting the material that was covered so you all will be ready for the formatives and the nine weeks exam. Until then, I shall see you in class. Mr. Hubbard's gonna stop typing now before he catches carpal tunnel. Night!



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