Summer Research Program for Science Teachers
Paul Englehart
Syosset High School, Long Island, NY
Summer 1998
Lesson Plan
Class: Science Research II
To develop the students’ understanding of how long-term research is accomplished
To have students understand the concepts of background research, experimental design, and design implementation.
To introduce some Chemistry topics for future discussion.
Plan:
Introduce Dr. I. Bernard Weinstein’s video Disorders In Cell Circuitry In Human Cancer in terms of how an observed fact/relationship can be developed into a research project.
Show video, pausing at key areas for discussion:
Chart showing death rates: why did deaths due to infectious diseases increase around 1919?
Two instances of multifactorial (synergistic) effects
Discuss controlled studies (control groups) [9-12 Content Standard A- Variable control]
Accelerator/brake model of cell growth
Discuss use of analogies in science (physical vs. scientific models)
[Teaching Standard B- Orchestrate scientific discourse]
Briefly discuss some Chemistry terms used for future reference:
oxidation/hydrogenation
covalent (bonding)
macromolecules
lipid-soluble/water-soluble
phosphorylation
[9-12 Content Standard B- Structure of properties and matter]
Assignment:
Students must briefly discuss:
The difference between carcinogen/mutagen/tetragen.
One simple cause and effect relationship in science. [Content Standard Unifying Concepts- Evidence, models, and explanation]
One multifactorial cause and effect relationship in science.