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How Science Works

Start Tool
Image of the How Science Works diagram

Topic

  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Experimental Design
  • Visual & Physical Models

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Tools

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
130 Users
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View in Spanish

Description

This interactive module allows students and educators to document, annotate, and reflect upon scientific research processes.

Science is a dynamic and iterative process that is not adequately represented by simple linear recipes. This Click & Learn engages students in thinking critically about how science works. They can use the tool to document their own science practices, or to reflect on the processes portrayed in an article or video. The tool contains an interface for creating a visual map of scientific processes, which can be annotated with text, images, and supplemental files. Users can save and load their map, or output it as a PowerPoint presentation.

The accompanying “Educator Materials” document provides additional tips and an example of how to engage students with this Click & Learn.

Student Learning Targets

  • Reflect on the process of science and how it can follow a winding path shaped by a unique combination of people and events.
  • Analyze the chronology of a scientific investigation and identify the steps in the process that was used.
  • Practice written and visual communication skills.

Estimated Time

One to three 50-minute class periods, depending on the amount of in-class discussion and how the tool is used.

Key Terms

diagram, experimental design, flowchart, process of science, scientific discovery, scientific method, visual model

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Interactive media meets criteria. Spanish files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 06.18.18
Date Updated 09.29.20

NGSS (2013)

SEP1, SEP2, SEP3

AP Biology (2019)

SP2, SP3, SP4

Vision and Change (2009)

DP1, DP3

Materials

Educator Materials (PDF) 293 KB
Example Model (ZIP) 10 KB
Desktop App - macOS 10.10 or later, 64-bit (ZIP) 66 MB
Desktop App - Windows 7 or later, 64-bit (ZIP) 47 MB
Educator Materials - Español (PDF) 365 KB

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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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14 Resources
By: BioInteractive
HHMI BioInteractive
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