This document provides instructions for an activity that teaches problem solving through having students save a character named Fred using the scientific method. Students will work through various steps: forming a hypothesis to save Fred, following a procedure to test their hypothesis, recording their results, and analyzing their methods and results. The goal is to introduce students to how scientists systematically solve problems by forming and testing hypotheses in a structured process.

1. Experimental Design:
Studying People Scientifically
Activity 1A: Problem Solving:
Save Fred!
August 29, 2013

2. Activity 1A: Solving Problems :Save Fred!
August 29, 2013
Getting Started: Explain a situation where you had to solve a problem.
How did you solve the problem and how did you determine the correct
way to solve your problem?
Introduction: Read the introduction on pg.A-4 and RACE your answer to the
following question: Does the author believe all problems can be solved the in the
same way.
Solving Problems: Save Fred!
We all solve problems every day- from little
problems like what to wear to school, to bigger
problems like whether to get a job or go to college.
Different kinds of problems require different
problem- solving approaches. One problem can
often be solved in more then one way. What do you
do when you are faced with a problem?
What approaches do you use to solve
problems?
1A
Challenge: Rewrite the challenge question in your own words.

3. Key Words: hypothesis, scientific method
Procedure: Have you read and do you understand the procedure on
pg. A5 and A-6? Write one sentence that describes
what you will be doing.
Results: Student Sheet 1.1 “Anticipation Guide: Ideas about Experimental
Design.” Complete the before column only
Analysis Question 1
Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 2 through 6.
Reflection: What did you learn from this activity that you can
use to solve other problems? How do you think this
compares with how scientists solve problems?

6. Analysis Question 1

7. Question 2
• Discuss the ways in which various groups of
partners saved Fred? How were they similar
how were they different?

8. Question 3
Do you think scientists follow only one method
to solve problems? Explain

9. Question 4
Did you follow all of these steps in order?

10. Question 5
Do you think scientists always follow all of these
steps in this order? Explain.

11. Analysis 6
• Review the after column of student sheet 1.1

12. R
A
C
E
Restate
the question
Answer
the
question
Cite examples
from a source
Expand by
explaining
your
answer
1.
2.
3.
Answering Open-Ended
Questions:
The race method

13. Hypothesis

14. Scientific Method