Activities

1. Use your understanding of this definition to give 3 examples of a model used in science.
   Statement: A model is defined as, “A description, analogy or a representation of something that helps us understand it better (e.g., a physical model, a conceptual model, a mathematical model).”

2. Use your understanding of this statement to write an example of a reasonable prediction that may occur if:
   Statement: A prediction occurs when a scientist uses facts, inferences and observations to state a reasonable possibility of a future event or scenario that may happen.

1. A rose bush is given a growth enhancer and then compared to the growth of a rose bush with no additional resources.
2. A student rubs an inflated balloon against their head.

3. Create a list of 3 words, or background knowledge, that come to mind when you read the word evidence.

Use the science journal and collected data to answer the following questions.

4. Provide a reasonable conclusion to this student’s work.
   
   
5. Draw an alternative model that would provide the same information collected over the 4 week experiment.
   
   
6. Determine the height at the end of 4 weeks.
   
   
7. Consider the placement of the plant in the classroom. What evidence supports that the plant was most likely placed in sun?
   
   
8. If the student continued the experiment for an additional 2 weeks, what is your prediction of the plant’s growth?

Using a diagram of an animal cell and plant cell, answer the questions below and start a discussion with your tablemates. 

9. Predict the role the following plays within the cell:
   
   1. Flagellum
   2. Cell wall
      
      
10. How do the diagrams compare to a living animal or plant cell?
    
    
11. Are all the parts listed within the diagram necessary for the cell to survive?
    
    
12. Write a creative journal entry from the viewpoint of the scientist who viewed an animal cell and compared it to a plant cell. Please make your story at least 3 paragraphs, and be sure to use evidence.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Answers may include, but are not limited to: a globe, ear model, skeleton, etc.
   
   
2. Student writes appropriate predictions.
   Answers may include, but are not limited to:
   
   1. The rose bush with an enhancer will grow larger and the control plant.
   2. The balloon rubbing against hair will create static.
      
      
3. Evidence: Student gives 3 reasonable ideas from back ground knowledge.
   Answers may include, but are not limited to: court, television, crime scene, writing tasks, ect.
   
   
4. Answer may include, but is not limited to: The plant will continue to grow
   
   
5. Answers may include, but are not limited to: photographs, bar graph, or line graph
   
   
6. 2.5 cm
   
   
7. The plant did not die, rather it thrived.  Therefore it must have been in an area with plenty of sunlight.
   
   
8. Student should be able to make an accurate prediction that the plant would continue to grow about an inch per week.
   
   
9. Student's answer should include:

1. Move like a tail
2. Protects the cell

10. It has all parts but is flat, not 3D, and many times bigger, not moving or living
    
    
11. Yes, most parts are necessary for the cell to survive unless it has made an adaptation.
    
    
12. Use the following rubric to score: