8th Grade 08/21/2019

Learning Objectives 08/19/2019

• Observe frogs jumping on colored lily pads in certain patterns. 
• Practice finding more and more complex patterns.
• Use an experiment to test a hypothesis.
• Adjust hypotheses to account for new information.
• Draw conclusions based on repeated tests of hypotheses.

Vocabulary

• Experiment, hypothesis, observe, prediction, theory
• You can watch the video of the scientific method here

Assignment

Go to https://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspView&ResourceID=663

!!!!! If the time is up, you can still access the simulation using Mozilla Firefox. Open an incognito window to get an unlimited access to the app. !!!!

Activity A

!!!Select beginner!!!

Question: How do we find patterns?

1. Collect data: Place the brown frog on any blue lily pad. Record the colors of the lily pads it visits in order. Write R for red, B for blue, and G for green. Record the first 15 hops.____________________________________________________________________ _____
2. Analyze: Put the brown frog on other pads and watch. What pattern does it seem to follow? _________________________________________________________________________
3. Observe: Click Catch all and repeat the above steps with the pink frog.
   A. What pattern does the pink frog follow?___________________________________B. Does its pattern depend on where it starts?Explain.____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Find the pattern: What pattern does the yellow frog follow? __________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
5. Extend: Describe the red frog’s pattern. _________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
6. Challenge: Compare the purple and red frogs. (Hint: Pay attention to more than just color.) A. How are their patterns similar?__________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________B. How are they different?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity B

!!!Select advanced!!!

Question: How can we gain confidence in the patterns we see?

1. Form hypothesis: Put the yellow frog on any pad. Observe it carefully. Try it on other pads. When you think you understand the frog’s behavior, write your belief, or hypothesis, below._________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
2. Predict: The true test of a hypothesis is if it predicts the results of experiments you have not yet tried. You should not trust a pattern until it correctly predicts the results of a test.Use your hypothesis to fill in the two sentences below.A. From the blue pad at lower left, the yellow frog will next jump to a__________pad. B. From the red pad at lower right, the yellow frog will next jump to a__________pad.
3. Test: Run experiments to test your predictions. Were you correct both times? ____________
   •   If one of your predictions was wrong, your hypothesis has been disproven.
   •   If your predictions were correct, your tests support your hypothesis.
   •   If enough experiments support a hypothesis, it can become a theory.
4. Form hypothesis: Now observe the pink frog carefully. What pattern does it repeat? _________________________________________________________________________
5. Predict: What are the next 10 colors the pink frog will visit if you start it at the bottom left? ________________________________________________________________________
6. Test: Test your hypothesis. What happened? _____________________________________
7. Challenge: Can you ever absolutely prove that a hypothesis is correct? Explain. _________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________