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Wanted: A Scientifically Literate Society

East Las Vegas Community Center/Senior CenterMay 8, 2013

Bret SibleyK-12 Science Regional Trainer

Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Programwww.rpdp.net

“Do not confine your children to your own learning , for they were born in a another time.”

Chinese Proverb

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Intended OutcomesUnderstand what science is and how

it works – you can do it!Recognize the importance of literacy

in the content area of science.Access resources to help parents

engage in science with their child.

Unscientific America?For every five hours of cable news, less than

1 minute is devoted to science.46% of Americans reject evolution and think

that the Earth is less than 10,000 years old.The number of newspapers with weekly

science sections has shrunken by two-thirds over the past decades.

The public is polarized over climate change– an issue where political party affiliation determines one’s views.From: http://www.unscientificamerica.com/index.php 3

What is Scientific Literacy?According to the National Education Standards (1996),

“Scientific literacy means that a person can ask, find, or determine answers to questions derived from curiosity about everyday experiences. It means that a person has the ability to describe, explain, and predict natural phenomena. Scientific literacy entails being able to read with understanding articles about science in the popular press and to engage in social conversation about the validity of the conclusions. Scientific literacy implies that a person can identify scientific issues underlying national and local decisions and express positions that are scientifically and technologically informed. A literate citizen should be able to evaluate the quality of scientific information on the basis of its source and the methods used to generate it. Scientific literacy also implies the capacity to pose and evaluate arguments based on evidence and to apply conclusions from such arguments appropriately.” 4

Why is scientific literacy important?

Will the renewable energy initiative bring more jobs to Nevada?

Should the government mandate insurance companies to cover cancer screenings?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain?

Will climate change data be manipulated to support a partisan agenda?

Should federal funds be used to support new lines of embryonic stem cell research?

Should genetically modified meat be labeled in the grocery store?

Will endangered species or energy consumption be made a priority?

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What do scientists do?

Do it (Inquir

y)

Read about

it

Write about

it

Talk about

it

Beaker Observation Exercise

Refer to handout

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Energy does stuff at boundaries

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Beaker observation exercise debrief

Light travels REALLY fast! 3 x 108 m/s (186,000

miles/sec)

PhET Website

Light travels at different speeds in various transparent media

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Applications of this idea…

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What science is! Our knowledge of

the natural world and the process by which that knowledge is built

Relies on the testing of ideas with evidence gathered from the natural world

http://undsci.berkeley.edu/images/science_checklist.pdf

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Science is not linear!

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Science is a process!

http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/howscienceworks_02

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How Science Workswww.understandingscience.org

The Process

of Science

looks

complicated!

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Stop! What are you thinking?

Do you have any questions or comments?

Has your thinking changed?

Are you confused?

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1. Asking questions and defining problems2. Developing and using models3. Planning and carrying out investigations4. Analyzing and interpreting data5. Using math, information/computer

technology, computational thinking6. Constructing explanations, designing

solutions7. Engaging in argument from evidence8. Obtaining, evaluating, communicating

information

Science and Engineering Practices

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Balloon Kebab Challenge

Can you successfully stick a bamboo skewer completely through an inflated balloon without popping it?

The Miracle Fish

Make a prediction as to why the Miracle Fish will be able to foretell

your fortune.

Examine the outside of the package – both sides

Handout

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The Amazing Growing Alligator!

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Polymers!How the Miracle Fish works They are long‐strand polymers that grab water molecules. They grab only on the side of direct contact. It does not absorb, only grabs! One side swells up with the added volume of water and curls just like a bimetallic strip with heat. The polymer is used commonly in baby diapers.Polymer uses

Disposable DiapersFire-control GelsSoil ConditionersGrowing Creatures

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Balloon Kebabs - Debrief

So, how does it work?

Reference http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/kitchenscience/subscribe/exp/balloon-kebab/

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Egg DemonstrationRefer to Handout

Materials:

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How about if we change it up? Repeating the demonstration upside

down, do you predict the same or different results? Try it!

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The science behind it!

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Explanation

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magdeburg.svg

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Nevada State Science Standards Divided into Four (4) Strands

Physical Science Life Science Earth & Space Science Nature of Science

Within each Strand are Unifying Concepts Ex. Earth & Space Science▪ A - Atmospheric Processes and the Water Cycle▪ B - Solar System and Universe▪ C - Earth’s Composition and Structure

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Earth & Space ScienceAtmospheric Processes and the Water Cycle (A)

Earth systems have internal and external sources of energy, both of which create heat. Driven by sunlight and Earth's internal heat, a variety of cycles connect and continually circulate energy and material through the components of the earth systems.

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8th Grade Science CRT Contains Multiple Choice Questions from each

of the four strands (Physical, Life, Earth, and Nature of Science)

Contains three (3) constructed response questions

NV Science Standards http://www.doe.nv.gov/APAC_Science_Standards_Resources/

NV DOE Testing Schedule 2012-2013 http://www.doe.nv.gov/Assessment_Resources/

Achievement Indicators by Grade Band http://www.doe.nv.gov/APAC_Science_Standards_Resources/

Writing in Science - CRT The Science Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT)

contains 3 Constructed Response questions at both the 5th and 8th grade level.

Constructed Response is a written response to a question Short answers that include diagrams Mini essays

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8th Grade Physical Science CR Item:Jorge was given the cube shown below and asked to determine the density of the cube. The material that the cube is made from is unknown.

A. Identify the two properties of the cube that must be known in order for Jorge to determine the density of the cube.

B.Describe how Jorge could measure each of the properties of the cube you identified in part (a). Be sure to identify any tools Jorge would use and describe how he would use them.

C.Explain how the measurements you described in part (b) can be used to determine the density of the cube.

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8th Grade Physical Science CR Item:

B. Using your copy of the diagram, draw arrows to show how the forces of thrust, drag, and gravity act on the racing car as it moves forward on a racetrack. Label each arrow as thrust, drag, or gravity.

C. Describe how each force that you labeled in part (b) acts on the racing car as it moves on a racetrack.

The diagram below shows a Formula 1 racing car. Many forces act together on the racing car so it can move safely at high speeds on a racetrack.

A. Copy the simple diagram of a racing car shown below into your Student Answer Booklet.

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8th Grade Earth Science CR Item:

A scientist is studying these two land masses. The scientist hypothesizes that the land masses were once together.A. Using the diagram, identify two pieces of evidence that support

the scientist’s theory that the land masses were once together.B. Explain how each piece of evidence you identified supports the

scientist’s hypothesis.

The diagram below shows two land masses separated by an ocean.

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8th Grade Earth Science CR Item:

A. Identify the planet that has the greatest density. Include data from the table to support your answer.

B. Describe the relationship between a planet’s distance from the Sun and its orbital period. Include data from the table for at least two planets to support your answer.

C. Identify the planet that rotates the fastest on its axis. Include data from the table to support your answer.

The table and descriptions show some of the characteristics of the planets in our solar system.

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8th Grade Life Science CR Item:

The organisms in an ecosystem interact in many ways to survive. For example, a rosebush, aphids, beetles, spiders, and orioles all interact in a rosebush ecosystem. The diagram below shows how these organisms interact in a partial food web.A. Identify the producer organism in this food web. Explain the

reasoning for your answer.B. Identify the primary consumer organism in this food web.

Explain the reasoning for your answer.C. Describe what would most likely happen to each of the other

organisms in the food web if the beetle population were suddenly destroyed. Explain the reasoning for your answer for each organism.

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8th Grade Life Science CR Item:

The graph shows the number of gray squirrels in a small population and their coat colors. This squirrel population has been separated from other squirrel populations by a new highway and several construction sites. The main predators of these squirrels are cats and hawks.

A. Assume that dark gray squirrels are very visible in this new environment. What is likely to happen to the distribution of coat color in this squirrel population over several generations?

B. Using graph paper, sketch a graph to show the predicted distribution, and explain your answer.

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RPDP Website http://www.rpdp.net/

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TIPS Resource http://rpdp.net/sciencetips_v3/

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Daily science questions with answers

http://www.rpdp.net/show.php?type=nhspe_science&cat=258&lvl=High+School

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Connect with nevadangse.net

Sign up with NevadaNGSE.net and stay informed about changes to K-12 science education in Nevada!

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Did we accomplish today’s intended outcomes?

Understand what science is and how it works – you can do it!

Recognize the importance of literacy; both reading and writing in the content area of science

Access resources to help parents engage in science with their child