Rebecca UR - I spy with my little eye...

My previous project was to create a middle school lesson plan that included an online component. I used a virtual lab about conserving water and created a worksheet that had students calculate their water bill. My next project will also require me to create a lesson plan that can be used in middle school classrooms but this time I have to create it using one of my classmates’ research projects as the starting point. While all of the projects interest me, I have to consider which project will translate well into a middle school classroom.  This would unfortunately eliminate projects that require sophisticated or expensive equipment.  This makes Mike the winner!  

Click here to check out Mike's project.

      Looking at his project, I really like how it uses one of the most simple and often overlooked steps of the scientific method, observations. Making an observation is the first and most vital part of science. It's something we do everyday and I know I often find myself asking questions. Why is that turtle trying to cross the street? Why is the car next to mine always parked over the line? Why is it always gorgeous outside when I have to work all day? All questions, based on observations, that could be the start of a scientific experiment. So Mike's question, what disturbs sea birds, is not only based on an observation but can be answered by making more observations. I think middle school students would get a great understanding of what science is along with the steps of the scientific method while completing a lesson that follows along with Mike's methodology.

Scientific Method in meme form

Questions from my last Blog post:

Caleb Douglas (Sec. 2) What are some special uses for water with the virtual lab that can help us conserve it? The virtual lab suggest conserving water in several ways. It gives the option of using low flow aerators on sinks, taking 5 minute showers instead of baths and using 'grey' water to water your lawn. It has water saving options for daily household activities like doing laundry, brushing your teeth and washing dishes as well.

Kelly Cameron (Sec. 02) Is there a way to make the parents more involved in this water conservation lab so they will teach their children to practice water conservation at home? This is part of the reason I included a worksheet that had students calculating their water bill after the lab was completed.  If students are committed to reducing water use in their home, they will go home and tell their parents what they learned during this lesson. They can even tell their parents that by watering the lawn at night and not in the afternoon they can save x amount of dollars.