Everyday Math and Science; and Math and Science
Everyday
Suggested Time: 45-60
minutes
Overview
Students will become afflicted with the “math curse” and then the
“science curse” in order to think about everyday things and actions as
math and science problems.
Vocabulary
- Scientific Method
-
Question
-
Hypothesis
-
Data Analysis/ Interpretation
-
Results
Objectives
- Students will learn how to identify scientific questions in their
everyday environment.
-
Students will apply what they’ve learned about various ways to conduct
scientific research.
Next Generation Science
Standards
- LS1-4. Developing and Using Models; Analyzing and Interpreting Data;
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
-
PS1-6. Asking Questions; Planning and Carrying Out Investigations;
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Common Core Mathematical
Standards
- OA. Operations and Algebraic Thinking
-
G. Geometry
-
MD. Measurement and Data
Required Project
Materials
- Math Curse. Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith.
http://amzn.com/0670861944
Multimedia Resources
- “Do It Yourself Science.” Bill Nye the Science Guy . Whole
episode available on iTunes, tv.com or play Youtube excerpt to
7.28 at
http://youtu.be/NOSNS3IvR_M
Optional Multimedia
Resources
- “The Scientific Method Rap.” Tunes2Teach. Youtube video
(3.07) http://youtu.be/bUa- ilQqEv0
-
Bill Nye’s easy at-home experiments.
http://www.billnye.com/for-kids-teachers/home- demos/
Before the Lesson/ Background
Information
- Pretend you have the “science curse”. Come up with a list of science
problems based on items in the classroom or outdoors where you plan to
host the game. This will help you to guide the lesson and incorporate
student ideas.
-
Explore Bill Nye’s resources for educators at
http://www.billnye.com/for-kids-teachers/.
Homework from Previous
Session:
The Lesson
Part 1: Reading Together (20
mins)
- Read Math Curse with the students. Meanwhile, identify math
problems inside the classroom. There must be many geometry problems to
consider, for example.
-
Math Curse ends with a suggestion about a “science curse”.
Inform the students that they now have the science curse!
-
Show the “Do It Yourself Science” excerpt.
Part 2: The Science Curse* (40
mins)
- Show “The Scientific Method Rap” or similar.
-
Review the steps in the scientific method.
-
Have the students look around the room. What science problems can they
identify? Have them work on coming up with “Questions.” What are
some possible answers? What is the most likely answer? Relate the most
likely answer to “Hypothesis”.
-
Work with the students to come up with a list of four or five science
questions/problems based on objects in the room (or outdoors, if you
are conducting the lesson outside). They should be simple and easy to
study in a short amount of time. For example, students could compare
the measurements of two differently-shaped objects in order to
determine which one is larger. You can also draw experiments from Bill
Nye’s easy at-home experiments page.
-
Separate the students into groups. For each topic, groups will write
down their Question, a Hypothesis, and a Method or Experiment.
-
Students can rely on observational, experimental, or comparative
methods.
-
If possible, incorporate a mathematical exercise into each experiment/
research project.
-
Each group will then conduct a mini experiment, interpret what they
discovered, and share the results with the rest of the class. This
part can also be done in an extended or second class session.
- This part of the lesson can be conducted indoors or outdoors.