Walking Magic: An Inquiry Based Activity

CLE 3210.5.2

This lesson engages students to discover that science is based on inquiry and discovery. Students are presented with a water strider, two containers with different solution and a tray with two compartments. Students will develop experiments to investigate and explain their observations. Through the investigations and guiding questions from the teacher, students will develop understanding of the relationship between form and functions of living things. This lesson plan allows students to make observations of water striders and helps build an understanding of the relationship between form and function in the natural environment. Extensions of the activity show how this form and function relationship can be used to develop new products (technology and engineering standards). Students will gain an introduction to way scientists think and work and will discover the excitement of science as they analyze how structures allow organisms to be successful in their environments.

Weblink address (URL):

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives:

Objectives:

Students will identify and develop a researchable question, collect data through conducting experiments, and formulate conclusions.
Students will apply the process of scientific method by developing a accurate and complete protocol.
Students will be able to define liquid surface tension and the effects of decreasing it in nature

Helpful Hints

Materials:

Water striders
Water
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) or any other detergent or liquid soap
Glass slides
Pipettes
Plastic cups, and rubber bands (Glass jars with tops that have center cut out could be
used as substitutes)
Meshes of different sizes cut to fit the tops or to cover the cups
Small rulers and protractors
Tubs, or large containers
Presentation materials

References

Contributors:

Dale Rudolph

Originator:

Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation