Variables Kit

Technology Resources for Use in Teaching Science

Technology Resources for the Variables kit - Grade 6
This module introduces the controlled experiment. Students identify and control variables in experiments involving a swinging pendulum, a floating "paper cup" boat, a flying windup airplane, and a mini-catapult. The activities reveal that relationships between things always involve interactions, dependencies, and cause and effect events.

1. Lesson Plans and Student Activities

Name of Lesson or Activity	Description
Investigating Fire Environments	Students consider the meaning of the term variable, both in a mathematical and an everyday sense, by considering a text?]based "equation." Data regarding flame length, vegetation and fire speed will be organized in a table, and students will investigate correlations between variables using scatterplots and lines of best fit.
Inclined Plane	Students time balls rolling down inclines of varying lengths and heights, then try to make inferences about the relationship among the variables involved. Students decide which variables are important (and can be measured), how best to collect the data, and how to interpret the data.
Liquid Density & Oil Spills	Students are probably aware that oil and water form separate layers when mixed together, but they may not have thought of this fact in terms of density. They will conduct a simple experiment demonstrating the variable densities of corn syrup, water, glycerin, and vegetable oil. Students will then transfer this concept to an examination of cleanup methods used in the Exxon Valdez oil spill. They will conclude by writing paragraphs hypothesizing what would happen during an oil spill if oil and water were the same density and therefore mixed together easily.
A Valid Conclusion?	In this lesson, students explore the importance of accuracy in reporting, focusing particularly on articles documenting scientific discoveries. They then practice the scientific method by conducting experiments to test and report on scientific hypotheses and write articles based on their findings.

2. United Streaming Videos for Variables kit:

To access these videos:

a. Log into ASSET, www.asset.asu.edu
b. Click on the gray curriculum resources tab.
c. Click on unitedstreaming video
d. In the search field at the top of the page that opens, type in the title of the video and click GO.
e. Download in the correct format for your computer. You may download the entire video, or just the segments that you want.
f. Show video on your computer to small groups or via a projector to the whole class.

Title of Video	Total Time	# of Segments	Description
Lesson Collection, The: Scientific Method, Motion	12:07	2	Explore the problem of how to improve an amusement park ride. See how 5th grade students investigate and document the effect of variables on the motion of a pendulum.
How Scientists Work: What is the Scientific Method?	21:00	14	Scientific method is a time-tested set of procedures used to create an accurate view or representation of the world. Using these procedures, anyone can repeat the experiments that lead a scientist to a result or group of results. In this program, junior scientists show how anybody can find new laws of science through perseverance and careful recording of data.
Everyday Science: Discovering the Scientific Method	20:51	7	Follow your curiosity as some everyday phenomena are explained scientifically. Observation of a rainbow turns into an explanation of the components of "white light" as they are separated by a prism. Ice cubes floating in a glass of water illustrate the concepts of density and volume. A rotating machine run by the heat of candles exemplifies the concept of convection. Musical instruments show that the size of a space determines the pitch of sound created in it. Join Tom and Rosa, two young visitors to the house of the wise Mrs. Williamson as they reveal the mysteries behind everyday science.

3. Earth Science websites for Variables kit:

Name of Site	Description
Biology4Kids	This site contains a simple explanation of the scientific method.
Kids Do Science	Have fun with science by completing word search puzzles, code puzzles, and mazes about the scientific method. Read poems and rap about science.
Kids' Corner Science	Have you ever wondered what scientists do all day? Have you thought about the kinds of experiments they conduct and how they do it? Clicking on the link below will let you take on a research project just like the scientists do at the Houghton Forest Sciences Laboratory. You can see how they develop and test hypotheses and you can use their tools.
Experimenting with the Scientific Method - ThinkQuest	Fourth graders create a hands-on activity designed to explore the scientific method from a kids' point of view.
An Internet Hot List - Scientific Method	Here are links about the scientific method to help you get acquainted or reacquainted with a variety of perspectives on what the scientific method really is.

4. The following SmartBoard activities for use with the Smart Notebook software are available for the Environments kit at the Smarttech Education site.

a. Float or Sink