- Southampton Middle School
- Course Outline
- • 8.1 Scientific Investigation
Edwards, Stephen (Grade 8 Physical Science Teacher)
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P.S. 1: Scientific Investigation
- Select appropriate equipment (triple beam balances, thermometers, metric rulers, graduated cylinders, and spring scale) and utilize correct techniques to measure length, mass, volume, temperature, and force.
- Design a data table which includes space to organize all components of an investigation in a meaningful way, including levels of the independent variable, responses measured of the dependent variable, number of trials, and mathematical means.
- Record measurements using the following metric units (SI): liter, milliliter (cubic centrimeters), meter, centimeter, millimeter, grams, degrees Celsius, and newtons.
- Create an appropriate graph (bar, line, or circle) for a given set of data. Select the proper type of graph for a given set of data, identify and label the axes, and plot the data points.
- Read a graph and analyze patterns, determine trends, and make predictions through extrapolation.
- Gather, evaluate, and summarize information using multiple and variable resources. Detect bias from a given source.
- Identify the key components of controlled experiments: independent and dependent variables, constants, controls, and repeated trials.
- Formulate conclusions that are supported by the gathered data.
- Apply the methodology of scientific inquiry: begin with a question, design an investigation, gather evidence, formulate an answer to the original question, and communicate the investigative process and results.
- Communicate in written form the following information about investigations: the purpose/problem of the investigation, the procedures, materials, data and/or observations, and an interpretation of the results.
- Describe how creativity comes into play during various stages of scientific investigation.
- Recognize metric prefix units and make common metric conversions between the same base metric unit (for example, milligram to gram, kilometer to meter).
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Which measurement? Part 1 (Matching)
Which measurement? Part 2 (Matching)
Base units, Symbols, Tools (Half a Minute)
Variable Definitions and Examples (Fling the Teacher)
Conversion, Notation, Graphs (Challenge Board)
Physical Science Formulas
Metric Pyramid
Triple Beam Balance Lab (Density/Water)