Science as a Way of Knowing
Discovery Center
Overview: Students follow a story and then apply the various part of the scientific method to the actions of the character in the book. Then they create a picture of the story using their imagination and art as a way of knowing the world.

Time: 20 minutes

Location: Indoors

Learner Outcomes:

  1. Student will explore the cycle of the scientific method by correctly matching parts of the story to the scientific method.

Materials

  1. Story- Darwin and the Adventure of the HMS Beagle
  2. Scientific Method Chart
  3. Copy Paper (six Sheets per student).
  4. Scissors


Do. . .

  • To begin we want each student to have a " Field research journal". We will do this by using six sheets of standard copy paper. Fold all six sheets in half short ways (hamburger fold)., and then remove the top sheet. Approximately one inch from each end of the fold, on the fold side, cut out a slit that is 1/8' wide and seven inches long ( remember leave the ends attached-only mid section gets cut out). Next, take the remaining five pages, and cut in one inch along the fold at each end and roll into a long tube and insert into the slit halfway and unroll-then lock slits into uncut end and there is your journal!
  • Find the chart labeled A Scientific Method, use it to help you do the activity.


Read. . .

  1. We do scientific research nearly everyday of our lives. It can help us decide what to eat, what movie to see, or how to a build a skateboard ramp. Read through the scientific method chart to refresh your memory.
  2. Read, the story "Darwin and the Adventures of the HMS Beagle"


Answer. . . ( in journal)

  1. What did Darwin know about himself?
  2. What was Darwin's research question?
  3. What was Darwin's hypothesis?
  4. What was Darwin's procedure?
  5. What were his results and conclusions?


Draw . . (in journal)

  1. A picture to go with this story research with other people.

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