WHAT IS SCIENCE ?
 


 

 

 

 

Investigating what the subject of science is about?

By: Kevin McColgan

Crestview Middle School

St. Louis, Mo.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

You are beginning your journey into the world of science.  For some of you this may be you first opportunity to learn about what the subject of science is all about. For others science may be an ongoing and life long interest.  Science however means different things to all sorts of people. In fact even what science is and how one goes about investigating things is open to debate.  Your teacher’s definition of science may be different from yours however to be able to study the subject we need to have some common understandings.  How does science start?  In its most fundamental form the subject of science needs to start with a question.  Think about these things: (Do you know the answers)

 

                                        Why are the planets round?  Why not Square?

 

                                        Why are some peppers hot?

 

                                        Why do you Laugh?  What purpose does it serve?

 

                                        Why are some people ticklish while some are not?

 

These questions may seem unimportant but they are questions and some scientist has investigated the answers.  Who is a scientist? Do you need college degrees and years of class work to understand science? Being a sixth grader in a science class are you considered a scientist?   Again this may be open to debate.  In this webquest we are going to look at what science was to two different scientist/inventors.  You are also going to develop you definition of what science is as a student of science.

 


 

 

 

THE TASK

 

In order to begin to understand science we will take a look at two scientist/inventors.  The first you have likely heard of his name is Thomas Edison.  The second scientist/inventor you likely have not heard of his name is Nikola Tesla.  Each of these scientists have influenced your life and you are likely not aware of it.  In this webquest you will be first investigating the lives of these two men. While looking into their scientific accomplishments you should keep in mind “ What did science mean to this scientist?” You should also be reading about each scientist and what you feel are some of the profound creations of the inventor. 

 

As, you read about the two scientists you need to always be thinking about what your class group’s definition of science is.  It may change as you read and learn more. While you are creating and refining your own definition of “What is Science”.  Your group of up to two partners will be creating a poster.  This poster may be created in any computer format you wish this may include PowerPoint, word, publisher or FrontPage. This poster must include your group’s definition of science that you have written. The poster must also define a definition of science, as it would relate to Tesla and Edison. What your group feels the definition of science was from these two inventors. Ask yourself, If I walked up to Tesla or Edison and asked them “What is you definition of science?” how do your group think they would respond?

 

 

 


 

THE PROCESS

 

  1. Divide into groups of two. One person will be considered the recorder. This person is responsible for accumulating the information your group will use to formulate its ideas. The second person will be considered the creator. They will be responsible for creating the end poster product.  It is important however that each member help each other in their individual part in the webquest. How the poster will be done will be discussed in class as students will have several choices.
  2. Compile a record sheet (word would be best) that shows all the data your group has used.
  3. Create your poster that includes Tesla and Edison’s definition of science as well as your group’s

               definition of science.

 

       Be sure to highlight many (at least 10 combinded) of the greater accomplishments of each scientist.

 

       It would also be interesting to describe inventions that maybe one of your group members has built or     

             thought of.

 

WEB RESOURCES

Follow these web links in this order. You may be required to read the entire site or just skim as needed.

These sites help you formulate your ideas and create your records page.

 

NIKOLA TESLA SITES

 


 

 

 

                                                                  NIKOLA TESLA PBS SHOW

Read this site thoroughly

 


 

 

 

NIKOLA TESLA Forgotten Scientist

Read this site thoroughly

Summers-Knoll Elementary School   Ann Arbor, Michigan USA

 


 

 

 

                              NIKOLA TESLA                                                                    PATENT COLLECTION

                                          Skim                   TESLA MEMORIAL SOCIETY                  Skim for ideas

                                                                                                                      Skim                                                          A bit technical

 

 

 

 

THOMAS EDISON SITES

 


 

 

 

 

THOMAS EDISON HOMEPAGE

Read this site thoroughly

 


 

 

 

                                                        THOMAS EDISON AMERICAN INVENTOR

Read this site thoroughly

 

 


 

 

 

 

   EDISON NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE                   EDISON MUSEUM        THOMAS EDISON PAPERS

                   Skim for ideas                                                                                               Skim                                                     Skim

                                                                                                                                                    A bit technical

 

 


 

                                                             GRADE SCORING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10pts.

 

 

 

 

10pts.

 

 

 

 

10pts.

 

 

 

 

 

10pts.

 

 

 

10pts.

VERY

GOOD

JOB

GOOD
JOB

AVERAGE

JOB

BELOW AVERAGE

JOB

 

All criteria/rules from webquest are followed exactly as was spelled out.

 

 

 

Final end project was done to high quality expectations. Project is of above average quality.

 

 

 

Students have made a good faith effort to produce thought ideas and insight into the task.  The group has displayed thoughtfulness.

 

 

 

Group has used all class time well.

 

 

Group has read all selected webpage resources.

 

Most criteria/rules from webquest are followed. Some rules may have not been followed exactly.

 

Final end project was done to high quality expectations.  Project is of average/ above average quality.

 

 

Students have made a good faith effort to produce thoughtful ideas and insight into the task. The group has displayed thoughtfulness

 

 

Group has used all class time well.

 

Group has read all selected webpage resources. Sometimes skimming over details.

 

Not all criteria from webquest followed

 

 

 

 

Final end project has portions done but is incomplete.

 

 

 

 

Students have shown little effort in analyzing ideas and thoughts. The group displayed little thoughtfulness.

 

 

 

 

Group has used some but not all class time fully.

 

Group made marginal effort at reading webpages fully.

 

Little to no criteria from webquest is followed.

 

 

 

Final end project has hardly any portions and is totally incomplete.

 

 

 

Students have shown no effort in analyzing ideas and thoughts. The group has displayed little or no thoughtfulness.

 

 

 

Group has used no class time.

 

 

Group has made no effort at reading webpages fully.

 

 

 

 

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