Once students have generated the question they are researching and created a hypothesis – its time for the students to set up and begin the experimental design. Experimental design focuses on identifying the variable and how that variable will be measured.
In the following video clip, watch as the teacher scaffolds experimental design and how the students respond to the task.
CONSIDER THIS:
As you watch this video...
- The experimental design is a critical piece of the inquiry process. How might this process reinforce skills and concepts for students?
- What are some challenges that students may encounter in the experimental design process?
- How might you anticipate those challenges?
Tip: Students may find creating procedures may be challenging. Another way to scaffold this process is to take the procedure in a cookbook lab and put each step on a separate piece of paper. Ask students to put the steps in order before they can begin the lab. This helps them to begin to think about the steps in a logical order.
