NATALIE BOLEN10/29 /2009

Incredible Investigators

Definitions

Phenomenon: An occurrence that is directly observable by the senses.

Investigation: A searching inquiry for ascertaining facts; detailed or careful examination.

Background Information

Scientists investigate natural phenomena (earthquakes and tornadoes) and identify processes in many ways. These include the collection of relevant evidence, the use of logical reasoning, and the application of imagination in devising hypotheses and explanations, in order to make sense of the evidence. Scientists study most natural phenomena, but they do not always do it in the same way. For this lesson, you will be learning about how scientists study the different types of natural phenomena!

Standards

Standard 6.1.2- Give examples of different ways scientists investigate natural phenomena and identify processes all scientists use, such as collection of relevant evidence, the use of logical reasoning, and the application of imagination in devising hypotheses and explanations, in order to make sense of the evidence

Taken From: http://www.indianastandards.org/files/sci/sci_6_1_2.pdf

Materials

Pencil PaperBLM Case cardsChart - It’s on the last slide, but it may be better to print it offso the students have more room to record. KWL (3 copies)

ON THE NEXT SLIDE, I AM GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU A LIST OF PEOPLE WHO

USE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS OF NATURAL PHENOMENA IN THEIR

EVERYDAY JOBS. ON THE KWL, WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT EACH OF THE

TYPES OF INVESTIGATIONS. THIS IS JUST TO GET YOU THINKING ABOUT EACH OF

THE INVESTIGATORS.

Let’s do some Brainstorming!

…and the Investigators Are..

Meteorologist

Botanist

Zoologist

Marine Biologist

Astronomer

Geologist

KWL- Fill this out for three of the investigators.

What do you know? What do you want to learn?

What did you learn?

Do before. Do before. Do after.

GUESS WHO?

I analyze weather forecast models anddata. I drive in vans for many miles to

observe the weather. I use two-way satellite system, weather radar system, satellite

phones, satellite tracking system, etc. I make predictions based on past weather events,

and measure and record data by computer. I base my conclusions on data collected.

GUESS WHO?!

Activity

…I’M A METEOROLOGIST

The investigator that you just learned about was a meteorologist. Record your answer to the question in the table or on a separate piece of paper.

What would I have to do to act as a meteorologist?

GUESS WHO?

I study plants using repeated experiments; I grow plants and study them in a lab setting; I use various measuring equipment, notebooks, etc. I measure changes in movement of leaves and stems; draw, write observations; makes connections between observations, data, and movement of the plant.

I’M A BOTANIST!

The investigator you just learned about was a botanist. Record the answer to the question in the chart or on a separate piece of paper.

How could I act as a Botanist?

GUESS WHO?

I do field studies; track and observe animals in their habitat; study their behavior patterns; use video, camera, notebook, etc. I draw and make observations. I make connections between what I observations and appearance of the animals.

I’M A ZOOLOGIST!!

The investigator that you just learned about was a zoologist. Please answer the question in the chart or on a separate piece of paper.

Where could you go to act as a zoologist?

GUESS WHO?

I sometimes study marine animals in captivity;I mostly study animals at sea; animals that are

captured, tagged, and released. I use transmitters to track and hydrophones (on boats) I uses scuba gear,

thermometers, computers, etc.

I’M A MARINE BIOLOGIST!!

The investigator that you just learned about was a marine biologist. Please answer the question.

Where would you have to go to act as a Marine Biologist?

GUESSS WHO?

I study many things about the earth, including volcanoes at sites and with remote sensing satellites, seismometers, and instruments that measure the amount of different gases (spectral analysis) from a volcano. studies data, checks I study the composition and flow of gases from a volcano and look for abnormalities in the shape of volcanoes to make predictions about eruptions.

I’M A GEOLOGIST!!

The investigator you just learned about is a geologist. Please answer the question in the chart or on a separate piece of paper.

How could you act as a geologist in the area where you live?

Closing

For the Learned section of the KWL, complete the chart on the following slide. You can ask your teacher to print it if you need more room.

Fill in this chart to show what you now know!What natural phenomena do

they study?What tools are used? Which process or

processes are used?

Meteorologist

Botanist

Zoologist

MarineBiologist

Geologist

Astronomer