Experiment Generator Activity

Rationale:

The purpose of this activity is to introduce students to scientific literature and to provide an opportunity for students to break down the stigma that it is complicated. The activity also introduces students to the methodology and results section of experiments and develops their understanding of variables, data representation and data analysis.

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Curriculum Links:

Science Inquiry Skills:

- Formulate questions or hypotheses that can be investigated scientifically, including identification of independent, dependent and controlled variables (VCSIS134)

 

- Select and use appropriate equipment and technologies to systematically collect and record accurate and reliable data, and use repeat trials to improve accuracy, precision and reliability (VCSIS136)

 

- Construct and use a range of representations, including graphs, keys, models and formulas, to record and summarise data from students’ own investigations and secondary sources, to represent qualitative and quantitative patterns or relationships, and distinguish between discrete and continuous data (VCSIS137)

 

- Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between variables, identifying inconsistencies in data and sources of uncertainty, and drawing conclusions that are consistent with evidence (VCSIS138)

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Science Understanding:

- Multicellular organisms rely on coordinated and interdependent internal systems to respond to changes to their environment (VCSSU117)

 

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Learning Intention:

Students will be able to:

• understand a scientific report and demonstrate their understanding visually. 

• represent the data provided in appropriate graphs

• describe the trends within the data and draw valid conclusions.

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Success Criteria:

Students will: 

• complete a flow chart of the methodology outlining the main point of the method. 

• provide possibilities for improvement on the method.

• create graphs which clearly represent the data and show the trends clearly.

• analyse data to describe trends and make valid conclusions

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Assessment Strategies:

Summative assessment of their flowchart and representation of the data with answers to the questions.

Criteria:
- Flow chart should show the two separate experiments that were done
- Flow chart should show the different way in which salinity was altered for both experiments (eg. 3 separate tanks, and one tank with salt added.)

- Graph should be of appropriate styles (eg. Scatter plot, line graph)

- Students should identify the positive trend in Experiment 1 where an increase in %seawater produces an increase in osmolality and a decrease in %seawater produces a decrease in osmolality and for the Experiment 2 an increase in osmolality correlates with an increase in the activity of ATPase.
- Students should be able to accurately identify the variables and controls.                                                

- Students should be able to identify conclusions on the basis of their data analysis

 

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