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Science lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 60 minutes

Comparing scientific explanations (conflicting viewpoints)

Working scientifically

CCSS NGSS.SEP 7CCSS NGSS.SEP 8England: KS4 Working scientifically

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Comparing scientific explanations (conflicting viewpoints).

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Evaluating experiments (research summaries)

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Simple equipment for a fair test, Results table template, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 6 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Evaluating experiments (research summaries)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Experiment 1: A student dropped the same ball from heights of 0.5 m, 1.0 m and 1.5 m onto a wooden floor and measured the bounce height. Experiment 2: The student dropped the same ball from 1.0 m onto wood, carpet and concrete. In Experiment 2, which variable was changed on purpose? (the mass of the ball / the drop height / the bounce height / the floor surface) → the floor surfacePrompt: Look only at the description of Experiment 2.
  2. Experiment 1: Magnesium ribbon was added to hydrochloric acid at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mol/dm³ at 25 °C, and the gas volume after 1 minute was measured. Experiment 2: The 1.0 mol/dm³ acid was used at 15 °C, 25 °C and 35 °C. Which variable was kept constant in Experiment 2 but changed in Experiment 1? (the colour of the magnesium / the temperature / the volume of gas after 1 minute / the acid concentration) → the acid concentrationPrompt: What was tested in Experiment 1?
  3. A study finds a result with only 3 samples. What is the best next step? (Use fewer samples / Publish it as proof / Repeat with a larger sample / Change the data) → Repeat with a larger samplePrompt: Small samples can give misleading results.

Hook · 6 min

  • Show a simple experiment with one thing changed and ask what makes it a fair test.
  • Share the objective: Comparing scientific explanations (conflicting viewpoints). Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Two students explain why a ball rolling on a flat floor eventually stops. Student 1: Objects naturally slow down and stop when nothing keeps pushing them. Student 2: Friction and air resistance act against the motion; with no resistive forces, the ball would keep moving at a steady speed. Which student's view agrees with Newton's first law?
  • Step 1: Newton's first law: an object keeps moving at constant velocity unless a resultant force acts.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Student 2
  • Answer: Student 2
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. What makes a scientific explanation stronger than another? (More people like it / It is older / It is more complicated / It explains more of the evidence and makes predictions that are confirmed) → It explains more of the evidence and makes predictions that are confirmedPrompt: Scientists judge ideas by evidence.
  2. Two students explain why a ball rolling on a flat floor eventually stops. Student 1: Objects naturally slow down and stop when nothing keeps pushing them. Student 2: Friction and air resistance act against the motion; with no resistive forces, the ball would keep moving at a steady speed. Which student's view agrees with Newton's first law? (Student 1 / Both / Student 2 / Neither) → Student 2Prompt: Read each viewpoint and underline its key claim.

You do: independent practice · 17 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Two scientists explain why the Moon shows phases. Scientist 1: Earth's shadow covers different amounts of the Moon during the month. Scientist 2: Half of the Moon is always lit by the Sun; as the Moon orbits Earth, we see different amounts of the lit half. Which scientist's explanation is accepted by astronomers today? (Scientist 2 / neither / Scientist 1 / both) → Scientist 2Prompt: Read each viewpoint and underline its key claim.
  2. Two students explain why a ball rolling on a flat floor eventually stops. Student 1: Objects naturally slow down and stop when nothing keeps pushing them. Student 2: Friction and air resistance act against the motion; with no resistive forces, the ball would keep moving at a steady speed. The ball rolls much further on smooth ice than on carpet. This result… (supports Student 1 / shows friction makes things faster / supports neither student / supports Student 2) → supports Student 2Prompt: Read each viewpoint and underline its key claim.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Evaluating experiments (research summaries).
  • Use concrete materials: simple equipment for a fair test.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-11.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

eurekami

Comparing scientific explanations (conflicting viewpoints)

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Two scientists explain why some lakes have fewer fish than ten years ago. Scientist 1: Farm fertiliser washed into the lakes caused algae to grow; when the algae died, bacteria used up the oxygen in the water. Scientist 2: Warmer water from climate change holds less dissolved oxygen, so fewer fish survive. A lake far from any farm also lost fish as it warmed. This supports…

    • A. neither scientist
    • B. Scientist 2
    • C. only that fertiliser is harmless
    • D. Scientist 1

  2. Question 2

    Two hypotheses explain the same data. How can scientists decide between them?

    • A. Ignore the data
    • B. Design an experiment where they predict different results
    • C. Vote on them
    • D. Choose the shorter one

  3. Question 3

    Two students explain why a ball rolling on a flat floor eventually stops. Student 1: Objects naturally slow down and stop when nothing keeps pushing them. Student 2: Friction and air resistance act against the motion; with no resistive forces, the ball would keep moving at a steady speed. Which student's view agrees with Newton's first law?

    • A. Neither
    • B. Both
    • C. Student 1
    • D. Student 2

  4. Question 4

    Two students explain why a ball rolling on a flat floor eventually stops. Student 1: Objects naturally slow down and stop when nothing keeps pushing them. Student 2: Friction and air resistance act against the motion; with no resistive forces, the ball would keep moving at a steady speed. The ball rolls much further on smooth ice than on carpet. This result…

    • A. shows friction makes things faster
    • B. supports Student 1
    • C. supports Student 2
    • D. supports neither student

  5. Question 5

    Peer review means…

    • A. the scientist checks their own work only
    • B. other scientists check work before it is published
    • C. friends vote on the result
    • D. the result can never be questioned

  6. Question 6

    Two scientists explain why the Moon shows phases. Scientist 1: Earth's shadow covers different amounts of the Moon during the month. Scientist 2: Half of the Moon is always lit by the Sun; as the Moon orbits Earth, we see different amounts of the lit half. Which scientist's explanation is accepted by astronomers today?

    • A. Scientist 2
    • B. neither
    • C. both
    • D. Scientist 1

  7. Question 7

    A new observation contradicts a well-tested theory. What usually happens?

    • A. The theory is never changed
    • B. Science stops
    • C. Scientists check the observation, then improve or replace the theory if it holds up
    • D. The observation is always thrown away

  8. Question 8

    What makes a scientific explanation stronger than another?

    • A. It is older
    • B. More people like it
    • C. It is more complicated
    • D. It explains more of the evidence and makes predictions that are confirmed

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Answer key: Comparing scientific explanations (conflicting viewpoints)

  1. 1. B. Scientist 2

  2. 2. B. Design an experiment where they predict different results

  3. 3. D. Student 2

  4. 4. C. supports Student 2

  5. 5. B. other scientists check work before it is published

  6. 6. A. Scientist 2

  7. 7. C. Scientists check the observation, then improve or replace the theory if it holds up

  8. 8. D. It explains more of the evidence and makes predictions that are confirmed