Unit 1: Exploring an Issue or Problem (6 weeks) Content Standards Content Objectives Iowa Core Statements Common Learning Targets Common Assessments Graduate Ends Skillful researching techniques depend upon developing expert questioning skills and asking “deep”, critical and higher-order thinking questions. Ethics & copyright Tools for collaboration Designing quality research questions Searching for information Determining relevancy of information Determining authority and accuracy of information Note-taking & citing sources Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations. Understand about scientific inquiry. I can identify resources that can be used to generate research ideas. I can conduct and organize preliminary research in to develop sufficient background knowledge around a research topic. I can brainstorm ideas that lead to the development of creative aspects to an issue or solutions to a problem. I can describe background research methods that will give you reliable resources and plagiarism. I can write higher-level questions using a “thinking taxonomy” to build my own high level inquiry-based question. Common rubrics and scoring guidelines to be developed for project-based assessments. Graduates demonstrate strategies for lifelong learning. Graduates possess technological and information literacy. Graduates exhibit creative, innovative and entrepreneurial thinking. Unit 2: Designing Research & Experiments (6 weeks)
The accurate gathering, analyzing and representing of data collected during an experiment is crucial to the usefulness and potential impact of an investigation. Use of laboratory notebooks Data collection issues for groups Proper recording of observations and data Graph types and their use Causation vs. correlation Basics in statistics Design and conduct scientific investigations. Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry I can explain the importance of keeping an accurate laboratory notebook. I can explain the pros and cons of paper vs. online laboratory notebooks. I can determine which types of graphical representations should be used for a set of data. I can construct a variety of graphical representations of sets of data. I can find trends, patterns and highlights in a set of data. I can determine which inferential statistics apply to a set of data. I can determine whether or not differences in data are statistically significant. Common rubrics and scoring guidelines to be developed for assessments. Graduates demonstrate proficiency in science, including life, earth and physical science. Graduates demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills. Graduates possess technological and information literacy. Unit 5: Presenting Research Findings (6 weeks) Content Standards Content Objectives Iowa Core Statements Student-Centered Learning Targets Common Assessments Graduate Ends The effective communication of information How to write a research paper (sections required) Communicate and defend scientific I can explain why documentation is important. Common rubrics and scoring guidelines to be Graduates possess technological and information literacy.
Performing effectively and efficiently in the organization means a researcher must understand his/her role and how his/her work “fits in” with the work of others in the organization. Lab routines Effective use of lab spaces and equipment Interacting with other researchers using common lab space(s) Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence Design and conduct a scientific investigation. used in an STEM research experiment. I can positively contribute to the discussions during a lab group meeting. I can set up a lab area in a way that maximizes efficiency and safety. I can interact positively with others in my STEM research lab space, including peers and adults. religions in a spirit of mutual respect in school, work and community. Graduates exercise sound reasoning in making complex choices.