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Predict,
Observe & Explain
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to Curriculum 
A demonstration
is set up that highlights some scientific phenomena. It may be an introduction
to a topic:
Examples:
- Demonstrating
gravity by dropping a pencil and a pencil case at the same time.
- Standing right
back up against a wall and trying to touch your toes.
- Throwing a paper
aeroplane and a ball of paper.
- Mixing bicarb
of soda and vinegar in a glass.
They then make a prediction
as to what is likely to happen:
Predictions:
- "Which object
will hit the ground first?"
- "Who thinks
they can touch their toes with their back against the wall?"
- "Which is likely
to travel further?"
- "Does anyone
know what might happen when I mix them?"
Ask them to put their
hands up if they are very confident of their prediction.
Who is not that confident of their prediction?
They then write
down or discuss their observations. If
students work in groups to write down their observations they can then
pool them together and take note of other student responses. Some observations
they had not notices themselves would be brought to the their own attention.
They then write down an explanation. Some
questions can be used to bring out some discussion:
Examples:
- "Can you explain
what happened?"
- "Did you predict
correctly?"
This can be opened
up to discussion and directed in a way to gain some understanding of the
related science.
Example:
"Funnel, ping pong ball and hose"
Aim:
This activity is used to make predictions about what would happen placing
a ping pong ball in a funnel attached to a hose that someone blows through.
Equipment:
The equipment includes...
- plastic hose
attached to funnel;
- ping pong ball.
Method:
Attach the plastic hose to the base of the funnel. Place the ping pong
ball in the funnel. Ask the question "Would will happen to the ping pong
ball when I blow through the tube?" Brainstorm all the possibilities (stays
where it is but rolls around; flies out; moves up into the air and remains
suspended etc). Also ask the question "Would will happen to the ping pong
ball when I blow through the tube but hold it upside down?" |
