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Aquarium Plant
Aquarium Plant

Activity 2- Teacher Guide

Scientific Literacy

Learning Intentions:

  • Identify key parts of the research article

  • Understand and interpret the article

  • Define key terms from article 

Success Criteria: 

  • Changed perception of scientists

  • Confidence in approaching scientific literature

  • Improved understanding of scientific research

Curriculum Links:

  • Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between variables, identifying inconsistencies in data and sources of uncertainty, and drawing conclusions that are consistent with evidence (VCSIS138).

  • Use knowledge of scientific concepts to evaluate investigation conclusions, including assessing the approaches used to solve problems, critically analysing the validity of information obtained from primary and secondary sources, suggesting possible alternative explanations and describing specific ways to improve the quality of data (VCSIS139).

Summary of Activity and Relation to Seaweed Research:

The primary aim of this activity is to improve students understanding of scientific method and scientific literacy. In relation to the research article by Dr. Prue Francis, her work is the vessel we used to convey this learning experience. Utilising her real life research paper, students are able to experience what real life science is and who scientists are (not necessarily white coats in a laboratory).

The research conducted by Dr. Francis is not overly complicated and hence relays to the students that applied science is not necessarily overly complicated and as simple as collection and surveying.

This activity also reinforces content knowledge they learn when doing the research methods topic in class.

 

Simply put, students are required to annotate the research paper. The resource provided here is a guide and teachers are encouraged to build on areas where they find their students need further assistance. Complementing this activity is a worksheet and a terminology list. The worksheet aids in the analysis of the article and allows students to properly synthesise connections between content knowledge they've learnt and real world uses.   

Before the lesson:

  • Print the research article for all students here

  • Print Key Terms document here

  • Print Analysis Worksheet here

During the Lesson:​

  • Help students annotate, if they have not had much experience with annotation, a crash course in basic annotation is recommended.

  • Simplify or challenge the work for students where necessary.

  • Check students are on task and completing worksheets independently (assistance is fine, but you don't want students just copying each other).

  • Class discussion using these questions

Instructions for Class

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