8th Grade 1-5: Scientific Literacy

​Science Root of the Day:

DO NOW: Infer what the example Words mean in your lab manual.

Extra Credit: Find three additional words that use this root and write them and their definition in your lab manual (6 Points Max)

Scientific Literacy

DNA plays a major role in many investigations, both criminal and personal. For most people, knowledge of this technology is not that critical. But for investigators trying to make sure they have caught the right criminal, they need to be able to do the research to be sure of their decisions

Multiple Choice

Review Question: Scientists use past experience or evidence to make _____________________ about what

will happen in the future.

• Classifications

• Observations

• Predictions

• Inferences

Multiple Choice

A collection of beliefs such, such as astrology, is known as...

• Pseudoscience 

• Fact

• Theory

• Law

Multiple Choice

Which question can best be investigated by a scientist?

• Should I buy a red shirt or a green shirt?

• Does chocolate milk or plain milk taste better?

• Does a plant need sunlight to grow?

• Which pet is more loyal: dogs or fish?

Multiple Choice

Science or Pseudoscience:  Designing an experiment to test the durability of a new type of rope.

• Science

• Pseudoscience

Multiple Choice

Some people have a Bicuspid Valve in their heart. Based on the name of the valve, how many parts does it have?

• 1

• 4
• 3
• 2

Lesson Objectives

• Define what Scientific Literacy is

• Determine the difference between evidence and opinion

• Discuss how to analyze Scientific claims

• Describe how to research scientific questions

​Why is Scientific Literacy Important?

• When we make decisions regarding the safety of ourselves or others, either as an individual or a group, we want to be informed about all sides of the issue

  • Scientific Literacy: Understanding scientific terms and principles well enough to ask questions, evaluate information, and make decisions​

    • Allows you to identify good sources of scientific information, evaluate it for accuracy, and apply it to any questions or problems in your life

Evidence Vs. Opinion

• Both play a role in evaluating Scientific Knowledge

  • ​Evidence: Observations and Conclusions that have been repeated. May or may not support a scientific claim

  • Opinion: An idea that may be formed by evidence, but is not confirmed by Evidence

Multiple Choice

Is the Following Evidence or Opinion: Geese make places look messy

• Evidence

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

Is the Following Evidence or Opinion: On Average Geese spend up to 12 hours a day eating.

• Evidence

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

Is the Following Evidence or Opinion: Geese eat grass and roots

• Evidence

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

Is the Following Evidence or Opinion: Baby Geese are cute

• Evidence

• Opinion

​How to Analyze Scientific Claims

• Analyzing Scientific claims involves looking at statements and trying to identify bias and errors

  • Evaluate the data to find faulty reasoning

  • Staying Skeptical ​of claims is critical

Open Ended

A researcher wants to know if people living in a certain town have good computer skills. They advertise online for participants to take a test, and offer a free flash drive as a payment. 20 people take the test and get a perfect score, so the researcher concludes that the town's residents have excellent computer skills.

List 3 problems with the conclusion the researchers made.

Poll

A new, unknown environmental group issues a press release with the attached photo as evidence showing that a local river is heavily polluted with chemicals. Do you believe them?

• Yes

• No

​How to Research Scientific Questions

• At some point in your life, you will need to do some form of scientific research

  • In order to make decisions or design experiments, you have to have relevant and reliable background information​

    • Relevant= Relating to the question

    • Reliable=Comes from a trustworthy source

​What are good reliable sources?

• Published nonfiction books

• Websites

  • .org and .edu can connect you to research

  • .gov​ for pics

    • helps to avoid copyright/image theft issues

• ​Articles

  • Primary source article: Written by the person who performed the experiment, tends to have more scientific writing

  • ​Secondary Source: Written by someone who read the primary source article, is a bit simpler to read

    • Can make mistakes

Multiple Select

What does Scientific Literacy mean being able to do? Select all answers that apply

• Ask Scientific Questions

• Evaluate Scientific Information

• Understand Scientific Terms

• Speak to a scientist

Multiple Choice

True or False: Evidence includes observations that have been repeated

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

True or False: An Opinion is an idea that may be formed from evidence but has not been confirmed by evidence

• True

• False

Open Ended

How Easy do you think it is for students your age to find good scientific information? Write a paragraph that answers this question and explains some of the problems you and other students face in looking for scientific information. Then, try to come up with a solution to make it easier to find good scientific information.