This document contains summaries of several classroom activities related to studying science. It outlines procedures for experiments on science safety rules, solving problems using the scientific method, learning about how scientists solved the mystery of pellagra, identifying human organ systems, testing sensitivity to touch, and exploring the nervous system. Key terms are defined for each activity, such as hypothesis, scientific method, organs, and neurons. Students are assigned analysis questions and a reflection on topics like careers that use problem-solving.

1. Issues and Life Science
Unit A: Studying People
Scientifically
Mr. Forde
Scofield Magnet MS
2014 - 2015

2. Activity .5: Sept. 3, 2014
Getting Started: Write 2 – 3 things that you think would keep
science class safe.
Procedure:
1) Review the science lab rules with the class
2) Form a team of two and think of a science rule that you
would like to illustrate as a team.
3) Review the rubric for your first science grade.
3) Check in with Mr. Forde to get the OK to get started on a rule
to create.
4) Start creating the poster that you will present tomorrow!
Homework…. Have the science safety contract signed and
returned by tomorrow!

3. Let’s Save Poor Fred!

4. Activity 1: Saving Fred
Sept. 8, 2014
Getting Started: Write 2 - 3 sentences describing problem you solved revently
and how you solved it
Introduction: Read and summarize pg. A-4 in one sentence.

5. Key Words: Hypothesis, Scientific Method
Procedure: Write a procedure for SAVING FRED with your partners and complete it for
HW on Monday 9/8.
Homework for Tuesday 9/9: Answer Analysis Questions 1 – 4 on page A6 – A7.
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?

11. Activity 2: The Pellagra Story
September 9/10, 2013
Getting Started: List 2 things that scientists could do to learn more about a
disease and its cause or causes?
Introduction: We read the intro.

12. Challenge: What are the common elements of all scientific
problem-solving methods?
Key Words: ethics, evidence, inference, observation
Results: See Worksheets
Fill in “Notes on the Pellagra Story” sheet
Complete “Observation and Inference” sheet
Compare “Dr. Goldberger and the Traditional Scientific Method’
<<Video Link --
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/odys08.sci.life.gen.pellagra/pellagra/>>
Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1a, 1b, 2a, (homework)
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.

13. Key Words:
Hypothesis: An educated guess
Scientific Method: Steps that scientists use to complete
their work.
Ethics: Looking at what is right and wrong
Evidence: Info that is collected to see if something is true.
Inference: A conclusion based on evidence
Observation: Looking at something carefully.

14. Should a prisoner who participated
in Dr. Goldberger’s experiment on
Pallegra be allowed to be released
from prison?

15. Activity 12: What’s Happening Inside?
September 14 - 16, 2014
Getting Started: List as many human organs
as you can.
Introduction: Read and summarize pg. B-10
in 2 sentences.

16. Challenge: What do you know about organs and organ
systems of the human body?
Key Words:
System- A group of related parts that work together
Organ- a structure made of tissues that perform an
important body function (job).
Organ System- a group of organs that work together to
perform an important body function (job).

17. RACE:
Is the Human Body
an amazing machine?

18. Procedure: Have you read and do you understand the procedure for
part A pg. B11-B12 together? Write two sentences that describes
what you will be doing.
Results: Part A: Copy questions from part A “laying it out”
Part B: Write your grouped organs in your notebook
Complete student sheet 12.1 sheet
Part D: student sheet 12.2a and 12.2b
Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1,2, 5 and 6.
Reflection: What new things have you learned about the human body
in this activity?

19. cardiovascular system, cell, digestive system, excretory
system, function, muscular system, nervous system,
organ, reproductive system, respiratory system,
skeletal system, structure, system (body system)

26. Activity 5: Can you feel the difference?
September
Getting Started: Discuss designing an experiment. (Watch PBS Video-http://
pbskids.org/dragonflytv/show/basketball.html)
Introduction: Read and summarize pg. A-20 in one/two sentences.

27. Challenge: What is the smallest distance apart at which you can still feel two points?
Key Words: variables, control variables, sample size, sensitivity
Procedure: We will read the procedures on pg. A21 - A23 together.
Results: See sheet

28. Key Words:
Variables-
Control Variables-
Dependent Variables
Independent Variables
Sample size:
Sensitivity:

29. 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?

30. Activity 5: Paper Shots
Getting Started: Discussion “How would you design a
basketball shooting experiment?”
(Watch PBS Video-http://
pbskids.org/dragonflytv/show/basketball.html)
Challenge: What are the variables of a well designed
experiment?
Key Words: Control Variable, Dependent Variable,
Independent Variable
Procedure: Each student shoots a paper ball 5x at 3, 6,
9,and 12 tiles to collect data.

31. Data Table:
3 tiles 6 tiles 9 tiles 12 tiles
Class Data:
1 meter shot 2 meter shot 3 meter shot

32. Control Variable- Those things you keep the same
in an experiment.
Dependent Variable- D = data, Data you are
collecting in your experiment.
Independent Variable- The change you are making
(studying) in an experiment.

33. Activity 6: Finding the Nerve
September 16, 2013
Getting Started: What and where are your 5 senses?
Challenge: Why do different parts of the body have different sensitivities to
touch?
Key Words: Homeostasis, Nerves, Nervous System, Neuron,
Procedure: Let’s read together. You will complete the stopping to think
questions at each section in your binder.

34. Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1 - 4

35. Key Words:
Nerves – a bundle of nerve cells
Neuron- a nerve cell
Nervous System- Your brain, spinal cord and
nerves.
Homeostasis- the ability to maintain a steady
environment.