Scientists follow the scientific method to systematically study phenomena through hypothesis formation, observation, data collection, analysis and experimentation. This document describes activities where students learn about how scientists work and study diseases and the human body through various experiments and exercises. They explore how scientists investigated the cause of the disease pellagra and learn about the structure and functions of human organ systems through hands-on activities testing touch sensitivity and the location of nerves in the body. Key scientific concepts covered include the scientific method, variables, hypotheses, ethics and components of the nervous system.

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

3. How Do Scientists Work?
Sept. 8, 2015
To Do: Write 2 - 3 sentences describing how
scientists do their work?
Key Words: Hypothesis, Scientific Method

6. Activity 2: The Pellagra Story
September 9, 2015
Getting Started: List 2 things that scientists could do to learn
more about a disease and its cause or causes?

7. 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’
Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1a, 1b, 2a,
(homework)

8. 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.
Key Words:

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

10. 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.

11. 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).

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

13. 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?

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

21. 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.

22. 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

23. 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?

24. Activity 5: Paper Shots
Getting Started: Discussion “How would you set-up 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 10x at 12 tiles
to collect data.

25. Data Table:
Names # of shots made

27. 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.

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

29. 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.

30. Analysis: Answer Analysis Questions 1 - 4

31. 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.
Key Words: