STEM-Field Investigations

1. Setting the Stage

2. Asking Questions and Defining Problems

3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Engaging in Field Investigations

Field Investigation Process- p. 5

Questioning

Planning field investigation

Carrying out investigation-Collecting Data

Analyzing data

Constructing Explanations-Conclusions

Engaging in Argument-Discussion

Science and Engineering Practices

1. Asking questions (S) and defining problems (E)

2. Developing and using models3. Planning and carrying out investigations4. Analyzing and interpreting data5. Using mathematics and computational

thinking6. Constructing explanations (S) and

designing solutions (E)7. Engaging in argument from evidence8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating

information

Setting the Stage-Developing Background knowledge

Content background (systems understanding) is crucial to asking

good questions.

Pervious Surface vs. Impervious Surface

Then and Now

Redondo Beach Upland AreaDes Moines, WA-1965

Redondo Beach Upland AreaDes Moines, WA- 2010

From Project Learning Tree-Mapping your Community Through Time and Project WILD- Then and Now

Local System

• Make a group drawing of the local system

Identify pervious and impervious surfaces on your group drawing.

Pervious surface

Impervious surface

Real World Problem

Background-Stormwater• When this building was constructed they had to

consider stormwater runoff

• Stormwater Runoff Problem-75% of Puget Sound pollution is due to stormwater runoff over the land

• District gets tax credit for raingardens and other efforts to clean and reduce stormwater runoff

• District gets tax credit for curriculum that deals with polluted stormwater runoff

Different types of Pervious SurfacesOr Different Permeability

Land surface permeability Investigation

Focus (Essential) Question:

Which types of land surfaces allow water to percolate (soak in), and which cause water to run off the ground?

Land surface permeability Investigation

Problem Question:

How can we improve percolation of water on our school campus and our watershed to reduce

pollution in and quantity of stormwater runoff?

Land surface permeability Investigation

Comparative Investigation Question:

What effect does land surface type (grass sod v. mulch v. bare soil) have on percolation time through the soil?

MulchGrass Sod Bare Soil

Comparative Investigation Question

What effect does land surface type (grass sod v. mulch v. bare soil) have on percolation time through the soil?

Comparative Investigation Question

What effect does land surface type (grass sod v. mulch v. bare soil) have on percolation time through the soil?

Underline the manipulated (independent) variable

Comparative Investigation Question

What effect does land surface type (grass sod v. mulch v. bare soil) have on percolation time through the soil?

Underline the manipulated (independent) variable

Comparative Investigation Question

What effect does land surface type (grass sod v. mulch v. bare soil) have on percolation time through the soil?

Double underline the responding (dependent) variable

Comparative Investigation Question

What effect does land surface type (grass sod v. mulch v. bare soil) have on percolation time through the soil?

Double underline the responding (dependent) variable

Procedure

1. Read the procedure

Page 1 Student Sheets

Procedure

Demonstration of the procedure

Procedure-page 28

Following the code given on page 28 of the FI guide, annotate the Permeability procedure

Procedure-page 28

1. Underline the manipulated variable in the procedure

Procedure

1. Underline the manipulated variable in the procedure

2. Double underline the responding variable in the procedure

Procedure

1. Underline the manipulated variable in the procedure

2. Double underline the responding variable in the procedure

3. Circle all of the controlled variables in the procedure

Procedure

1. Read the procedure2. Underline the manipulated variable in the

procedure3. Double underline the responding variable in the

procedure4. Circle all of the controlled variables in the

procedure5. Draw a diagram of the procedure

Controlled (Kept the Same) Variables

What are the controlled variables in this in this investigation?

Collect Data-Jobs

Each group will be a trial and will go to all 3 land surface types

1.Timekeeper- times the water as it soaks into the surface (timer)

2.Water pourer- Pours water into the can (water, measuring cup)

3.Data Recorder- records results in the Data Chart (clipboard, data table, pencil)

4.Keeper of the Can- pushes the can into the

testing surfaces (can, trowel)

Question: What effect does land surface type (grass sod v. mulch v. bare soil) have on percolation time through the soil? Prediction:________________________________________________________________________Date______________________Time____________Weather___________________Study site (location) ___________________Study site Description ____________________________Materials: _____________________________________________________________________

Land Surface vs. Percolation Time (seconds)

Land Surface Type

Percolation Time (seconds)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6 Trial 7 Trial 8 Ave

Grass Sod 9.29.2 3030 300300++

9797 33.33.6969

109109.9.9

96.6

Gravel walkway 5.35.3 130130 1717 8.98.9 7.47.466

10.10.33

29.8

Land Surface Permeability Investigation

• DATE

• TIME

• PLACE

• Cans with both ends cut off

• Stopwatch

• Measuring cup

• Trowel

• Jug of water

List Materials

• Write a prediction

– Address one condition of the manipulated (changed) variable

– What do you predict you will observe or measure with this condition

Prediction

Hypothesis/Prediction

Grass Sod Mulch Bare Soil

Write a hypothesis/prediction for which land surface type will have the fastest percolation time.

Let’s Go Collect Data!

Grass Sod Mulch Bare Soil

Question: What effect does land surface type (grass sod v. mulch v. bare soil) have on percolation time through the soil? Prediction:________________________________________________________________________Date______________________Time____________Weather___________________Study site (location) ___________________Study site Description ____________________________Materials: _____________________________________________________________________

Land Surface vs. Percolation Time (seconds)

Land Surface

Type

Percolation Time (seconds)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6 Trial 7 Trial 8 Ave

Grass Sod

Mulch

Bare Soil

Collect and Organize Data

Analyzing Data

Calculate the average Percolation Time for each type of land surface for the class trials

Question: What effect does land surface type (grass sod v. mulch v. bare soil) have on percolation time through the soil? Prediction:________________________________________________________________________Date______________________Time____________Weather___________________Study site (location) ___________________Study site Description ____________________________Materials: _____________________________________________________________________

Land Surface vs. Percolation Time (seconds)

Land Surface

Type

Percolation Time (seconds)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6 Trial 7 Trial 8 Ave

Grass Sod

Mulch

Bare Soil

Analyzing Data

Organizing and Analyzing Data-page 31

Dearborn Park Elementary, March 18, 2005 2:30 pmAverage Temperature °F on top of the Ground at 3 Locations

63 °F

51 °F

50 °F

xxx

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

under bush

on the blacktopon the opengrass

Location

Surface Temperature °F

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Trial 4

Ave°F

Under a

bush

51 54 50 50 51

On the

Black top

65 68 59 59 63

On the

open Grass

50 51 49 48 50

Graphs

Maps

Tables

Analyzing Data-Charts

Analyzing Data-Graphs Resource

Harvard Forest Schoolyard Graphing Manual

Constructing Explanations-Conclusions

• Write a conclusion for the Land Surface Permeability Investigation.

• Rubric page 86

1. Limits conclusion to place, date, and time of investigation

2. A conclusive statement clearly answers the investigation question Or answers the prediction

3. Lowest supporting data

4. Highest supporting data or trend data

5. Explanatory Language

Conclusion

Rubric on Page 86

• Discuss factors that may have influenced data• Discuss improvements to the procedure • Explain how this information might be important in the

real world• Explain how this information should inform actions or

decisions• Explain any inconsistent data• Cite further questions for investigation

Discussion

Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Discuss Questions 1-3 with your group

Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Read Student Reading #4

Engaging in Argument from Evidence

• Claims• Evidence • Reasoning