Science Instruction by Inquiry:

D. Livelybrooks, J. BaxterUniversity of Oregon

http://thaiuo.uoregon.edu/inquiry.html

Science by Inquiry

• Inquiry defined

• Example: World Cup Soccer Kick

• Mathematical opportunities in statistics and data analysis

Inquiry Defined

Learn & use scientific processes:

• Pose question, identify variables

• Refine into a hypothesis

• Make a prediction

• Experiment to test prediction

• Revise hypothesis if necessary

Example: WorldCup Soccer Kick

Ask a question.

Review prior knowledge.• Energy conservation• Momentum conservation• Newton’s Laws

Pose hypothesis predict.

Hypothesis:

• x v;

• KE h v2;

• ergo, x2 h

Expect doubling h results in x sqrt(2)

Example: WorldCup Soccer Kick

Example: WorldCup Soccer Kick

A hypothesis and prediction involve:

• Independent variable (height)

• Dependent variable (ball distance)

• Constant variables (mass, etc.)

Collect Data

Multiple trials– each ‘foot’ height.

Math Analysis

Mathematical opportunities in statistics and data analysis:• Represent data• Describe data• Interpret data

Table, Data

height (m) distance (m)

0.085 0.21

0.085 0.85

0.085 0.24

0.085 0.210.085 0.22

Bar Graph

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

Series1 0.085 0.085 0.085 0.085 0.185 0.185 0.185 0.285 0.285 0.285

Series2 0.21 0.21 0.205 0.22 0.36 0.355 0.42 0.505 0.575 0.53

1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28

.085 .185 .285 Initial height of 'foot' (m)

X-Y Graph

World Cup Soccer Kicker

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3

initial height of 'foot' (m)

ball travel distance (m)

Describe Data

Mathematical Opportunities…• Range: variation• Mode: most frequent• Median: middle value• Mean: arithmetic average

What if…?

Interpret data: What if…?• Interpolate values between

data points• Extrapolate values beyond

data points• Slope

Video Analysis

In Summary

Together, Science Inquiry andMathematical Opportunities:• Identify meaningful context• Pose hypothesis/conjecture• Collect data• Analyze data• Support or modify hypothesis

Science Inquiry Guide

Designing the Investigation

Variable I will change (vary): Variable I will measure:Variables that are the same (fair test):• Safety• Materials• Procedures (describe steps; draw a picture of procedure)

Science Instruction by Inquiry:

D. Livelybrooks, J. BaxterUniversity of Oregon

http://thaiuo.uoregon.edu/inquiry.html