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
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
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.
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)
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
TEKS Navigation
Grade 5
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