This document contains instructions and guidance for multiple science activities related to studying people scientifically. It includes directions for experiments on problem solving, testing medicines through clinical trials, qualitative and quantitative data collection, and peer review of scientific studies. Students are guided through reading background information, formulating hypotheses, conducting procedures, analyzing results, and reflecting on how scientific problem solving compares to problem solving in everyday life.

1. Issues and Life Science
Unit A: Studying People
Scientifically
Mr. Forde
Scofield Magnet MS

2. Let’s Save Poor Fred!

3. Activity 1: Saving Fred
August 30, 2013
Getting Started: 1) Write 2 - 3 sentences describing problem you solved in the
last week and how you solved it. 2) Complete the “before” column on the
anticipation guide.
Introduction: Read and summarize pg. A-4 in one sentence.

4. Challenge: Rewrite the challenge question in your own words.
Key Words: Hypothesis, Scientific Method
(Let’s start a vocab section in your notebook!)
Procedure: Have you read and do you understand the procedure on pg. A5 - A6?
Write one sentence that describes what you will be doing.
Results: Use words and drawings (be as specific as possible ) to describe exactly what
you did to save fred!
Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1, 4 and 5.
Reflection: People face problems in their lives every day. 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?

9. Activity 2: The Pellagra Story
September 3- 4, 2013
Getting Started: List 3 things things that scientists could do to learn more about a
disease and its cause or causes?
Introduction: Read and summarize pg. A-8 in 2 sentences.

10. Challenge: What are the common elements of all scientific problem-solving methods?
Key Words: Ethics, Evidence, hypothesis, inference, observation, scientific method
trade-offs (Let’s start a vocabulary section in your binder!)
Procedure: Have you read and do you understand the procedure on pg.A21-A22 together?
Write two sentences that describes what you will be doing.
Results: Fill in “Notes on the Pellagra Story” sheet
Complete “Observation and Inference” sheet
Compare “Dr. Goldberger and the Traditional Scientific Method’
Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b (see sheet), 4 (see sheet) 5 and 6.
Reflection: Choose two careers that interest you (police officer, nurse, teacher, scientist,
etc.) and describe the kids of problems they face in their careers and how they solve them.

11. Activity 3: Testing Medicines- A clinical trial
September 10-11, 2013
Getting Started:
Introduction: Read and summarize pg. A-11 in 2-3 sentences

12. Challenge: How are medicines tested in a clinical trial?
Key Words: Clinical Trial, Control, Placebo, Sample Size, Simulation, Trade-off
Procedure: Have you read and do you understand the procedure on pgs. A-13-14?
Write one sentence describing what you will be doing.
Results: Copy this chart.
Create a bar graph of the class data- Clinical Trail Sheet (A-49)

14. Results (cont:) Collect class data and create a bar graph of the class data- Clinical
Trail Sheet (A-53)

15. Results (cont:) Collect class data and create a bar graph of the class data- Clinical
Trail Sheet (A-53)

16. Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1a, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 4

17. Activity 5: Can you feel the difference?
September 12, 2010
Getting Started: answer q 3- 9 AFTER COLUMN of anticipation guide.
Introduction: Read and summarize pg. A-20 in one sentence.

18. Challenge: What s the smallest distance apart at which you can still feel two points?
Key Words: control, informed consent, placebo effect
Procedure: We will read the procedures on pg. A21 - A23 together.
Results: See sheet

19. Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1, 3, 4a, 4b and 6.
Reflection: How would you create an experiment to test a person’s sensitivity to sound?

20. Activity 6: Finding the Nerve
September 13, 2010
Getting Started: What and where are your 5 senses?
Challenge: Why do different parts of the body have different sensitivities to
touch?
Key Words: Interneuron, Motor Neuron, Nerves, Nervous System, Neuron,
Sensory Neuron, Touch Receptors
Procedure: Let’s read together. You will complete the stopping to think
questions at each section in your binder.

21. Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1 - 4

22. Activity 7: Studying People Qualitatively and Quantitatively
September 16 - 17, 2013
Getting Started: What do you expect this reading to be about? What kinds of
measurements can be taken when testing people?
Challenge: How are qualitative and quantitative data used when testing a
hypothesis about people?
Key Words: Data, Qualitative, Quantitative
Procedure: Let’s read together. You will complete the stopping to think
questions at each section in your binder.

23. Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1, 2, 3,4 (hw- q5 )
Reflection: Both qualitative and quantitative data provide evidence for making decisions.
How have you used both of these types of dat to make decisions? Describe your
experiences.

24. Activity 8: Data Toss
September 18 – 20, 23, 2010
Getting Started: How can you study people scientifically?
Introduction: Read and summarize pg. A-34 in one sentence.

25. Challenge: What is the smallest distance apart at which you can still feel two points?
Key Word: range
Procedure 1: Did you read and understand the procedures PART A on page A35?
Results: See sheet and chart below.

27. Procedure 2: Did you read and understand the procedures PART B on page A36?
Record your hypothesis, procedure, data table for your original experiment below.
Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1 - 4
** Long term assignment: Due Monday 9/27 **
Prepare a full report for the investigation according to the guidelines on Literacy
Student Sheet 1b, Writing a Formal Investigation Report.
Write your report on a clean sheet of paper.
The analysis section of your report should include the following:
a. a graph of your results
b. a discussion of the variables you were able to keep the same
c. a discussion of the variables (except the one being tested) that youcould not keep the
same

28. Activity 10: Studying People Qualitatively and Quantitatively
September 25, 2010
Getting Started: Why do you think it is important for scientists to review each
others work?
Challenge: Which proposals have an experimental design worth funding?
Introduction: Read “The NIH Committee” and write a sentence describing what
we will be doing today.
Procedure:
Step 1- Do procedure Step 1 with your team below. (page A44)

29. Procedure (continued):
Step 2- Let’s read Study 1 together
Step 3- Use sheet 10.1 to evaluate Study 1.
Step 4- Use sheet 10.2 to evaluate the other studies and decide which one is the best to
recommend.
Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 3 AND 4
Reflection: How does the way that you solve problems compare to the way scientists solve
problems?