Biology - Standard: 3.1.B.B6

Continuum of Activities

The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.

This continuum of activities offers:

Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
Questions/activities that grow in complexity
Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance

Related Academic Standards / Eligible Content

3.1.B.B6 3.1.B.B6

Compare and contrast scientific theories.
Know that both direct and indirect observations are used by scientists to study the natural world and universe.
Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations.
Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence.
Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models.
Explain the importance of accuracy and precision in making valid measurements.
Examine the status of existing theories.
Evaluate experimental information for relevance and adherence to science processes.
Judge that conclusions are consistent and logical with experimental conditions.
Interpret results of experimental research to predict new information, propose additional investigable questions, or advance a solution.
Communicate and defend a scientific argument.

Activities

Explain the concepts of direct and indirect observations. Why are both important in the study of Science?
Identify the steps of the Scientific Method, which are necessary to complete a scientific investigation.

Define accuracy and precision. Explain their importance in making valid measurements.
Conduct an experiment in which you test a person’s heart rate at rest, then at increasing levels of aerobic exercise. Interpret the collected data to predict a person’s heart rate after running for one minute.

Compare and contrast two theories related to Biology.
Identify a scientific argument (may be a theory). Discuss what it states and defend its validity using evidence.

Answer Key/Rubric

Answers may include, but are not limited to:

A direct observation is a method of collecting data in which the evaluator watches the subject in their usual environment without altering that environment. In an indirect observation, the reporter must rely on the findings of others. Both are important because from different studies, different results are gathered, so scientists are able to interpret and incorporate the findings of others for analysis. In addition, it is difficult to have access to everything (especially in the case of the study of the universe) so indirect observations allow scientists insight on information they are not physically able to gather.
The steps of the Scientific Method are: (NOTE: other renditions may be reworded, reorganized, etc.)

State problem or question
Gather information
Form a hypothesis
Perform experiment
Record and analyze data
State conclusion
Repeat if necessary

Accuracy is achieved when the result is close to a reference value, often involving calculations to get the desired measurement. Precision is when the data values are close together. Accuracy and precision are important because they are necessary to produce valid results. If these measures are not achieved, they can alter the results or conclusions derived from an experiment. In addition, accuracy and precision are also important for safety. If measurements are not accurate or precise, they can result in dangerous results to the experimenter, or anyone trying to replicate a previous experiment.
Acceptable responses must include the recording of data of the person’s heart rate at rest, indication of different exercises and recording of their heart rates after these activities. Results must then be interpreted to make a prediction of the person’s heart rate after running one minute.

Acceptable responses must identify two theories related to the field of Biology, and compare and contrast the two theories. Teacher may provide specific theories to compare/contrast based on the current unit of study.
Possible theories:

Evolution
Cell theory
Darwinism
Germ theory

Acceptable responses must identify a scientific argument, an explanation of it, and defend its validity by giving evidence.

Example Arguments: Dinosaurs had feathers, The Big Bang Theory, Evolution
Sample response: The Big Bang theory states that our universe had a beginning and the Big Bang is a model of our universe in its earliest form and how it has evolved from that point. The universe had to have a starting point, and this theory gives an explanation of how it was formed.