3.1 - Documenting Investigations (Criterion B & C Evidence)
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Importance of Documenting Investigations
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Welcome, class! Today, we will discuss why documenting our scientific investigations is so important. Can anyone tell me why we document our experiments?
To keep a record of what we did!
Exactly! Documenting helps us track our experiments. But there's more to it. It also shows how we followed the scientific method. Why is that crucial?
So that others can understand and replicate our work?
Yes! It promotes transparency and accountability. Now, what are the two criteria we focus on when documenting figure lab reports?
Criterion B for Inquiring and Designing and Criterion C for Processing and Evaluating.
Great job! Remember Criterion B emphasizes formulating research questions and identifying variables. Can anyone give me an example of a variable?
In an experiment testing plant growth, the light intensity could be an independent variable!
Perfect! Light intensity is indeed an independent variable. Letβs summarize: Documenting validates our process and helps others replicate it. Remember the criteriaβB stands for inquiry design and C for processing evaluation.
Reflecting on Investigations
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In our next session, weβll explore reflection after conducting an investigation. What do you think reflection helps us achieve?
To learn from our mistakes!
And to understand what we did right or wrong!
Absolutely! Reflecting enables us to evaluate both our findings and the methods used. Can someone share a challenge they faced in a past investigation?
I had trouble controlling variables when testing the effect of fertilizer on plant growth.
That's insightful! Overcoming challenges like that requires careful planning. How can we improve our inquiry skills to face similar challenges in the future?
By practicing more and reviewing our methods with classmates!
Exactly! It's about collaboration and learning from collective experiences. At the end of the process, remember to write down what you learned and how you improved to personalize your growth.
Best Practices for Documenting Investigations
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Now, let's discuss best practices for documenting our investigations. What should we include in our lab reports?
We should have the research question, methods, and results!
And also include reflections on what we learned and what could be improved!
Exactly! Structuring your report is key. Remember to organize your data presentations clearly. For example, how can we present data effectively?
Using tables and graphs!
Correct! Visual representations help in making our findings clearer. Let's quickly recap: Document your method, results, reflect on your learning, and ensure your data is presented effectively.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, students are encouraged to document their best lab reports and investigation summaries to demonstrate their inquiry and evaluation skills as per the MYP criteria. Reflection on learning outcomes, challenges faced, and skill improvements is also emphasized to promote deeper understanding and personal growth within the scientific journey.
Detailed
Documenting Investigations (Criterion B & C Evidence)
In the MYP framework, documenting scientific investigations is crucial for demonstrating the skills gathered throughout the year. This section guides students to select 2-3 exemplary lab reports that highlight their learning journey and strengths in scientific inquiry. Key elements include:
- Criterion B: Inquiring and Designing: Focus on creating well-formed research questions, identifying variables, and detailing methods while ensuring safety.
- Criterion C: Processing and Evaluating: Accurate data collection, effective data presentation (through graphs and tables), and thoughtful reflections on results, including method evaluations and areas for improvement.
Students are encouraged to reflect on their physics concepts, challenges faced during investigations, and personal growth in inquiry skills. This reflection not only solidifies understanding but fosters a sense of responsibility in their scientific practice, thus contributing to their overall personal growth and appreciation for knowledge.
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Purpose of Documenting Investigations
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Chapter Content
To showcase the scientific inquiry skills developed throughout the year.
Detailed Explanation
The purpose of documenting investigations is to present what students have learned about conducting scientific inquiries during the year. This means collecting evidence of their work that demonstrates their understanding and abilities in doing science, such as planning and executing experiments.
Examples & Analogies
Think of documenting investigations like keeping a diary of your journey as a scientist. Just as you would write about your experiences and what you learn every day, in science, you write about your experiments, what you discover, and how you solve problems. This helps you reflect on how much you've grown in your scientific abilities.
Content Requirements - Selected Investigations
Chapter 2 of 3
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Chapter Content
Select 2-3 of your best lab reports or investigation summaries from the year. These should demonstrate:
- Criterion B: Inquiring and Designing: Well-formulated research questions, clearly identified variables, detailed methods, safe practices.
- Criterion C: Processing and Evaluating: Accurate data collection, appropriate data presentation (graphs, tables), correct calculations, thoughtful conclusions, evaluation of methods, identification of strengths and weaknesses, suggestions for improvement.
Detailed Explanation
Students need to choose 2 to 3 laboratory reports or summaries that best showcase their inquiry skills. These selections should reflect their ability to ask good questions (Criterion B) and how they collected and interpreted data (Criterion C). This includes specifics like how they identified the variables in their experiments, the clarity of their methods, the accuracy of their data collection, and their conclusions about what they learned.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you're a chef trying to showcase your best dishes at a food festival. You would choose the recipes that turned out the best, highlighting your skills in cooking and presentation. Similarly, when students pick their best investigations, theyβre showcasing their 'best dishes' in science, emphasizing what they've learned and accomplished.
Reflection Focus - Key Learnings
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Chapter Content
For each selected investigation, write a short reflection on:
- What you learned about the physics concept.
- A specific challenge you faced in the investigation and how you overcame it.
- One specific area where you improved your inquiry skills (e.g., controlling variables better, presenting data more clearly).
Detailed Explanation
When reflecting on their investigations, students should address what physics concepts they learned, the challenges they encountered during their experiments, and how these experiences helped them develop their inquiry skills. This reflection is crucial for personal growth and understanding the process of scientific inquiry.
Examples & Analogies
Reflecting is much like reviewing a sports game after it's over. Athletes analyze what they did right, what went wrong, and how they can improve for the next match. By reflecting on their scientific investigations, students learn from their experiences and prepare better for future inquiries.
Key Concepts
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Documentation: The practice of recording details of scientific investigations to ensure clarity and replicability.
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Inquiry Skills: The abilities associated with conducting scientific research, such as formulating questions and analyzing data.
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Reflection: A critical aspect of learning involving the review and assessment of oneβs work and experiences.
Examples & Applications
Example of a well-documented lab report that includes clear sections for research questions, variables, methods, results, and reflections.
A challenge faced by a student includes the difficulty in controlling variables during an experiment, leading to reflections on improving this skill in future investigations.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Document well, reflect and learn; Inquiry skills, itβs your turn!
Stories
Imagine a scientist who kept a diary of all her experiments. Every time she faced a challenge, she wrote it down. Later, when reflecting, she learned how to avoid those issues in future testsβmaking her a successful scientist!
Memory Tools
Remember CIRBCE: Criteria - Inquiring, Results, Best practices, Challenges, and Evaluation.
Acronyms
R.I.D.E. for Reflection, Improvement, Design, Evaluation.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Criterion B
Refers to the standard in MYP that focuses on Inquiring and Designing, including formulating research questions and identifying variables.
- Criterion C
Refers to the standard in MYP that emphasizes Processing and Evaluating, which includes accurate data collection and thoughtful reflection on results.
- Scientific Method
An iterative process involving observation, questioning, hypothesizing, experimenting, collecting data, analyzing results, and communicating findings.
- Variables
Elements that can change in an experiment, including independent (manipulated), dependent (measured), and controlled (kept constant) variables.
- Reflection
The process of thinking critically about oneβs learning experiences, including acknowledging successes and areas for improvement.
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