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Selecting Equipment and Technology

Selecting Equipment and Technology

TEKS Objective

Ask well-defined questions, formulate testable hypotheses, and select and use appropriate equipment and technology.


Essential Understanding

The student uses scientific methods during laboratory and outdoor investigations.

Science Background

Tools and Equipment of Science: BioEd Online (video) - Veteran science educator, Barbara Tharp, provides an introduction to important science tools, such as metric rulers, thermometers and magnifiers.

Tools and Equipment of Science
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org

Signature Lesson

Measure Twice, Cut Once: TeachingEngineering (website) - Students make estimations based on metric units, and then use appropriate equipment to compare their predictions with actual values.

Measure Twice, Cut Once
TeachingEngineering, www.teachengineering.org

Supporting Lessons

Tools of Magnification: K8 Science (website) - Students explore and compare the capabilities of different magnifying devices, from water drops to low-power microscopes.

Tools of Magnification
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org

Technology at Work: Discovery Education (website) - While researching technological advances, students learn that technology is defined as any invention, including tools, machines, materials and sources of power, that make work easier.

Technology at Work
Discovery Education, www.discoveryeducation.com

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Design a Cell Phone: EdHeads (video) - Help engineering director Elena design and manufacture a cell phone to help senior citizens get the most out of new technology.

Design a Cell Phone
EdHeads, www.edheads.org

Assessment Ideas

Divide the class into teams of two to four students. Give each team a different science tool, such as a magnifier, graduated cylinder, metric ruler, balance, thermometer or stopwatch. Have each group write a set of instructions on how to use its assigned tool, and then give three examples of where or how the tool could be used in a real-life situation.

Literature Connections

Under the Microscope: Science Tools. Clark, John O.E. (ISBN-13: 978-0717256280)

Related Science TEKS

(5.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to demonstrate safe practices and the use of safety equipment as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations.

(5.2A) Design/conduct Experiment with One Variable
The student is expected describe, plan, and implement simple experimental investigations testing one variable.

(5.2C) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect information by detailed observations and accurate measuring.

(5.2D) Analyze Evidence and Explain
The student is expected to analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from direct observable and indirect inferred evidence.

(5.2E) Value of Repeated Experiments
The student is expected to demonstrate that repeated investigations may increase the reliability of results.

(5.2F) Communicate Conclusions
The student is expected to communicate valid conclusions in both written and verbal forms.

(5.2G) Graphs, Tables, Charts
The student is expected to construct appropriate simple graphs, tables, maps, and charts using technology, including computers, to organize, examine, and evaluate information.

(5.8D) Physical Characteristics of Sun, Earth and Moon
The student is expected to identify and compare the physical characteristics of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.

Related Math TEKS

5.12B The student is expected to use experimental results to make predictions.

5.13CThe student is expected to graph a given set of data using an appropriate graphical representation such as a picture or line graph.

5.14B   The student is expected to solve problems that incorporate understanding the problem, making a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the solution for reasonableness.

Additional Resources

Metric Mania Teaching Resources: The Science Spot (website) - Lessons and teaching resources that build students’ skills with tools used for a variety of measurements (volume, mass, temperature, length, etc.).

Metric Mania Teaching Resources
The Science Spot, sciencespot.net

Science & Technology: Teacher Tacklebox (website) - Links to strategies for integrating technology into many classroom topics.

Science & Technology
Teacher Tacklebox, tacklebox.4teachers.org

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