¹See Graphic Organizer for specific steps

Standards:
NCEE and Chariho Standards addressed in this unit.
 

• The students will view the video, Scientific Method.
• Teacher and students will sing the song, Scientific Method from Lyrical Life Science.
• The teacher will use the large screen monitor to show the students the various on-line activities created to help the students understand the steps involved in the Scientific Method.  The students will then access these individually or with a partner.
• The teacher will use the large screen monitor to show the class the Scientific Method PowerPoint.
• Students will complete the Scientific Method graphic organizer and, once it is checked for accuracy, they will print it out.
• The teacher will read Mistakes That Worked by Charlotte Foltz Jones to the class and discuss how results are not always what was expected and how that is part of being a scientist. 
• The students will complete a crossword puzzle on the Scientific Method steps.
• The students will organize index cards (with the individual steps of the Scientific Method written on them) into the correct sequence.  This could also be done by having groups of  students hold larger cards and organize themselves in front of the room in the correct sequence.  Once they are in the correct sequence they can be numbered on the back and placed in the science center for individual use.
• The students will create a flap book with each flap being one of the steps involved.  Fold an 11X18 sheet of construction paper in half lengthwise.  I refer to it as a hot dog fold.  Cut the top half into seven equal sections.  Students label the top flap with the name of the step and illustrate the steps inside.
• The teacher will perform a demonstration of a science activity and model the filling in of the Scientific Method Form which has been printed out on an overhead.  This demonstration should be pertinent to the science concept that is being explored in the classroom at that time.
• Salad dressing lesson:  This lesson was located on the Internet and added to in order to more widely integrate technology.  Thanks to Martha Toth at the University of Michigan for creating this wonderful lesson.  Plan a large uninterrupted block of time for this lesson.  Generally, it takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
• The teacher will lead the class in a discussion on how  "New and Improved" food products are created before they are available for purchase. 
• Teacher will lead the class in a discussion of different kinds of spices/flavorings used in salad dressings. 
• The students will be divided into four groups with an assigned adult supervisor (parent volunteer or teacher) 
• Each group will be given the ingredients necessary to perform their "experiment" 
• Students will be provided with the necessary data collection handout and scientific method form. 
• Each group will determine which type of salad dressing they want to create (sour, bitter, sweet, tangy, etc) and formulate an hypothesis related to ingredients required to create it. 
• Demonstrate to the class how to measure and explain why it is so important that they measure precisely.
• Using materials and forms provided, and following the Salad Dressing PowerPoint, the students will measure, mix, and record the steps for Trial 1 that they have taken to attempt to create their salad dressing.  Each student will record their observations on the Scientific Method Form.  After taste testing, the students in each group will discuss their observations regarding success of reaching their desired dressing.  Was their hypothesis correct or incorrect?  Refer to Mistakes That Worked to ensure that they know that it is perfectly acceptable for the hypothesis to be disproven.
• They should also discuss what changes they can make for Trial 2.  Changes could include such things as less sugar, more lemon juice, more (or less) vinegar, etc. Explain to students that they are to change one variable only. 
• Repeat for Trial 2 and Trial 3, implementing changes.  Unlike Trial 1, these two trials are completed by each group at their own pace with the teacher acting as facilitator.
• Each group will determine which trial best matched their original hypothesis.  Using the measurements recorded during the experiment, the group will recreate their dressing in a larger amount for the culminating activity.  This may require that they double, triple, or even quadruple their original amounts. 
• Each group will brainstorm and decide upon a name for their new salad dressing.  If time allows, they will create a label for their product. 
• Culminating Activity:  Using the student created salad dressings, the class will partake of a salad bar.  As students are enjoying the results of their experiment, students will be asked to share their observations/opinions on the activity.  If more than one classroom is involved in this activity at the same time, they may want to share between classes.
• This is just a starting point.  Teachers should continue to apply this method to other science activities/demonstrations with emphasis on collecting less subjective data and more objective data.

• Using a word processing program, the students will write a recipe for their salad dressing that can be shared with other students or parents.  These recipes can be bound into a class book or taken home to recreate their dressing for their family. 
• If the class is involved with a local shelter, they may recreate their new dressing in a larger quantity to share with the people there. 

The following rubrics were designed to possibly be used with the students during this unit.  The actual rubric used may be a variation created in conjuncture with the classroom teacher:
     Salad Dressing Rubric - a rubric created to be used to assess usage of the 
          Scientific Method
     Salad Dressing Rubric #2 - a rubric created to be used to assess group 
          participation during the salad dressing activity

 
Materials:
The following materials need to be downloaded, bookmarked, or copied prior to the lesson:
     Scientific Method PowerPoint
     Salad Dressing PowerPoint
     Scientific Method Graphic Organizer - Inspiration software required
     Scientific Method Graphic Organizer - HTML version
     Scientific Method Form - Word document
     Scientific Method Form - HTML version
     Scientific Method Crossword Puzzle - Printable version
     Scientific Method Crossword Puzzle - Interactive (Need to use Browser's
          Back Button to return to this page)

The following materials should be gathered or created: 
     Scientific Method song
     Scientific Method video
     Index cards labeled with the steps of the Scientific Method
     11X18 construction paper - folded and cut for flap book

The following materials are needed for the salad dressing lesson.  (The teacher may want to ask the class to provide the ingredients for the salad bar):
 

Salad oil  (I use vegetable oil)

Vinegar  (I use cider vinegar, but I've also had students ask what would happen if they used balsamic)

Sugar

Salt

Pepper

Italian Seasonings (purchased premixed in the spice section of the grocery store)

Garlic Powder  (During Trial 1, I advise the students that this has a strong taste)

Lemon Juice

Measuring Spoons and Cups

Containers to put the ingredients in prior to lesson

Paper Towels (for spills and drips-yes, they will happen!)

Handouts      Salad Dressing Handout      Scientific Method Form

Salad Bar Ingredients

Resources:
     Texts/Books/Magazines
           Mistakes That Worked by Charlotte Foltz Jones
     Videos
           Scientific Method, 2000, Teacher's Video Company
     Songs/CD's
          Scientific Method from Lyrical Life Science

     Websites for students:
          Scientific Method - Interactive site that students can use to learn/review the Scientific
          Method
          Virtual Fishtank - While not truly about the Scientific Method, it has possiblities.  Requires 
          Shockwave.

     Web sites for background information.  Some could possibly be used with students after 
     teacher preview:

Create a Salad Dressing - A lesson developed at the University of Michigan that involves using the Scientific Method to create a new salad dressing.

Project 2061 and the National Science Teachers Association have co-published Atlas of Science Literacy. This is a collection of 49 conceptual strand maps that show a continum of students' understanding of the ideas and skills that lead to literacy in science.  View Evidence and Reasoning in Science or View the Map for the K-12 strand map. (pdf file)

Visionlearning - Repeat Galileo's experiment from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  By clicking on the tower, two balls drop.  Dr. Capri explains how Galileo formed a hypothesis and performed an experiment.

The Scientific Method of problem solving - Background information on experimental design

Using the Scientific Method to find a date for Friday night - Shows the steps of the Scientific Method as applied to a more real-world experience.

The Scientific Method - The Scientific Method explained for introductory level sciences courses at a university.  Nice graphics.

Introduction to the Scientific Method - According to this author, "the scientific method attempts to minimize the influence of bias or prejudice in the experimenter when testing an hypothesis or a theory."

Experimental Science Projects, An Introductory Level Guide - Explanation of the steps in an experiment by an Associate Professor at Mankato State University.

MadSci - Not specifically about the Scientific Method, but some of these edible experiments could be used in the teaching of Science.

Scientific Method - This is a Web-based PowerPoint with emphasis on types of Hypotheses.

DiscoverySchool - DiscoverySchool's explanation of the Scientific Method

     Educational Resources from MarcoPolo:

Dr. I. Wonder's Science Circus - Pages 4 and 5 pertain to the Scientific Method and provide some simple activies to do with students.

Scientific Method Quizzes - Interactive site that students can use to learn/review the Scientific Method

Leonardo daVinci was a leader in applying the Scientific Method.  Learn more about him at this site.

In the Build a Tower project, students will intergrate and apply the process used by practicing scientists in developing scientific hypothesis and deduction in the development of the straw towers.

Puzzling Polarizers - An investigation that might be used in a classroom studying light to demonstrate the scientific method.