SUBJECT: Science
GRADE: 4th
TECHNOLOGY: PowerPoint
BY: Selena Dickey
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
Beginning in the fourth grade, students are expected to design, implement, and present their own science experiments. Also, they are expected to begin preparing and presenting oral presentations. Newer standards state that students should have experience with and a minimum level of competency involving computers. Therefore, I feel this lesson will help students meet these requirements by combining both science and computer technology to meet a desired goal. Also, I know the fourth grade population to be more involved with computers than past generations, including my own. Therefore, I believe students will be more than capable of developing a simple Powerpoint presentation, with minimal instruction, thereby focusing on the larger topic at hand--their science presentation.
Objectives:
In groups of three, students will design and complete one science experiment of their own choosing (topic: plants), correctly following the six experimental steps.
Student groups with complete one Powerpoint presentation describing their experiment, including five slides with use of one or more colors and less than 2 mistakes.
Students will present and explain these their Powerpoint work to the teacher and class.
Materials:
pencils
handout (experimental design)
experimental materials: will vary within groups
model experimental materials: battery, wire, light bulb
CPU with PP program installed
student PP worksheet/instruction/troubleshooting guide
board/chalk
Lesson Description:
The teacher will reintroduce and students will review the proper, necessary steps of a scientific experiment [problem, hypothesis, materials, procedure, observation, conclusion]. The teacher will also distribute the experiment handout to be completed by the students. Then, she will model a simple experiment on electricity involving a battery, wire and light bulb. The following will be done: she will show materials and tell students the problem: How can I make this bulb light using only a battery and a single wire? Then, she will ask students to make guesses or hypotheses about the experiment. After all responses have been taken, the class will decide on a single hypothesis to consider during the experiment. Then, she will begin the procedure and the class will make observations. Finally, working together, the teacher and class will develop a conclusion. (Each step has been recorded on the board under its proper heading.)
Next, students will be informed that they will be working in groups to develop and present their own experiments. Teacher will designate groups and assign students to brainstorm ideas for their own experiments. Then, students will decide on topics and have them okayed by the teacher and begin gathering necessary materials in the classroom and at home. After everything has been gathered and all necessary questions answered, the students will design and complete their experiments at school, recording their work on the experiment handout.
Then, the teacher will announce that she has found a new way to present her science experiment. She will then begin running the Powerpoint program, demonstrating/modeling to students how to put their presentations on the computer as well. Using the in-class modeled experiment, she will create five slides:
Slide 1: Problem-How can I make a light bulb light with only one battery and one wire?
Hypothesis-If I connect the wire to both ends of the battery and to the bulb, it
will light.
Slide 2: Materials-D cell battery, wire, light bulb
Slide 3: Procedure-I held one end of the wire to the negative end of the battery, then I
held the metal end of the light bulb to the positive end of the battery and
connected the other end of the wire to the metal on the bulb.
Slide 4: Observations-The light bulb lit.
Slide 5: Conclusion-When I connected the wire to both the battery and the bulb, I
created a completed circuit, causing the bulb to light.
Then, she will also demonstrate features of Powerpoint like color; however, she will focus on the importance of the presentation itself--for example, it is more important that we get all six steps completed and included than develop a flashy presentation. She will encourage students to be as creative as possible, yet focus on their experiments. After modeling has been completed and all questions have been answered, she will announce the group assignment, asking each group to complete a presentation of their experiment. Then, she will assign computer time to individual groups (other students will be working on other science assignments or independent reading--the teacher will be available to help students when working on the computer). Also, she will distribute the written assignment sheet/troubleshooting guide and go over directions again, orally.
After students complete their presentation, the final day of the lesson will include presentations. Students will run their programs while giving an oral account of their work, as well.
Evaluation Procedure:
The teacher will observe students work while experimenting and collect their written data, making sure they have included the proper six steps. Also, she will review their procedure during their Powerpoint work, review the result, and observe their presentation/oral report, checking to make sure that all guidelines have been fulfilled (i.e., proper # of slides, use of color, minimum of mistakes).
Science Experiment Worksheet
Name______________________________________
Problem
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedure
Observations
Conclusion
Powerpoint Instructions
You must include five slides:
#1 will include your problem statement and hypothesis
#2 will include your materials
#3 will include your procedure
#4 will include your observations
#5 will include your conclusion
Make sure you use one or more colors (use the multi-color square icon to decide).
______________________________________________
Some things to remember!
To begin:
Select Powerpoint from the menu.
Choose to “create” a new presentation.
Choose the correct slide form.
Be sure to select “New slide” before you begin your next slide.
When you want to look at your slides, select “view” and “slide show.”
Don’t forget to save your work! Chose “file” and “save.”
If in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask a classmate or me.
Be sure to work as a team.
Be as creative as you want, but don’t forget your experiment!! Good luck and have fun!!