Mystery Box!

Date: 21st January 2011

Activity: Each group is given a sealed box with a mystery object inside. They have to identify the characteristics of the object (or the object itself) based on their observations.

Observations
- Makes a thud sound against the box when shaken
          Inference: It is a hard object.

- When the box is tilted slightly, the object rolls easily.
          Inference: The object has a round side.

- When the box is shaken, 2 ends of the object make a small thud against the sides of the box.
          Inference: The 2 ends of the object have a small surface area.
          Inference: The object is cylindrical in shape.

Part 2: Swapping of Boxes with another group!
Observations & Inferences
- The object is attracted to the magnet very strongly
          Inference: The object has magnetic properties.

- When shaken, the object makes regular thudding sounds against the sides of the box.
          Inference: The object is hard and has flat surfaces.

- The object feels as light as a pen.

Hamster Video Activity!

Date: 17 January 2011

1. Personal Observations & Questions
- The hamster is brown
- The hamster was gnawing at a white material
- The hamster was in a cage

- What was the hamster biting at?
- Why was the hamster biting at the material?
- Where was the hamster?

2. Groupwork - Sher Ting, Lauren, Chloe, Isabella & I
Observation: The white material did not tear easily though the hamster was gnawing at it
Inference: The material the hamster was biting at was cotton

3. Class Discussion
Observation: The hamster was tearing apart the cotton wool viciously
[Note: Adjectives like "viciously" are based on pre-conceived stereotypes and so shouldn't be used)
Inference: The hamster was playing with the cotton wool.

Observation: There was contact between the hamster's mouth and the cotton wool.
Inference: The hamster was spitting into the cotton wool.

Observation: The hamster was trying to rip the cotton wool.
Inference: The hamster thought the cotton wool was an enemy
                 OR the hamster thought the cotton wool was food
                 OR the hamster was trying to make a nest.

Only one group managed to make the accurate inference that "the hamster was trying to make a nest".

Mealworm Observation - Class Activity

Date: 12 January 2011


Personal Observations
- The mealworm is brown in colour
- It has 6 legs which are located close to the head
- The mealworm has 12 segments
- The mealworm has 2 feelers on its head
- Length of mealworm from head to tail: 2.2cm
- Texture of mealworm: Smooth


- Drawing of mealworm (side view and dorsal view):

Which is my peanut? - Class Activity

Date: 12 January 2011

Observations of Peanut
- Has a brown spot
- Length: 2.7cm
- Colour: Beige
- Hooked end

Isabella's comments: Use more scientific terms! Specify where the brown spot is, and where the hooked end is located. Maybe you could measure the narrowest circumference!

[Note: The narrowest circumference of the peanut is measured, instead of the width, as a peanut is uneven in width.]

1. What is the scientific name of the peanut plant? Arachis hypogea
2. Which family does the peanut belong to? Fabaceae

Reflection on Peanut Observation Activity

1) What were the different ways you found to distinguish one peanut from another? 

Length & circumference of peanut, shape, colour, presence of any marks/spots on peanut

2) What proved to be the most helpful information in finding a specific peanut?
Shape of the peanut

3) What percentage of your class could locate their own peanut? 
93.75%

7) How important were your notes of your observation in locating the peanut? If your memory was a better guide, what does that say about your notes?
My notes were important in locating the peanut, especially the diagram of the peanut that I drew. If my memory is a better guide, that means my notes are not accurate and detailed enough.

8) Which of the following statements are observations and which are inferences?
a) Inference
b) Observation
c) Observation
d) Observation
e) Inference
f) Inference
g) Inference
h) Observation
i) Observation

Other notes
Describing Different Viewpoints:
For animals;

Backbone - dorsal
Head - anterior
Belly - ventral
Tail - posterior

For objects like peanuts, the term "side view of ____" will suffice.

Calculating Magnification:

Magnification = Length of drawing / Length of actual specimen

Magnification must be at least x2.

Scientific Literacy - Notes

Disclaimer: The next few entries were actually written at a much earlier date, but are only being uploaded now because, well - the blog's just been created hours ago! (:


Date: 12 January 2011


Science begins with observation!


Observations:
- Make use of 5 senses
- Make use of tools
- Should be detailed & accurate
- Use words and drawings
- Qualitative VS Quantitative
- Count, Estimate, Measure, Compare


Tools:
- Must be used in the correct manner; each tool is used in a different way
- E.g. a hand lens is used at a distance from the eye, while a loupe is brought close to the eye