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Scientist Role Models

Photo montage of the scientists from the activity.
Topic
  • Science Practices
  • Experimental Design
  • Careers in Science
  • Science & Society
Resource Type
  • Activities
  • Lessons
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Favorited By
34 Users
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Description

In this activity, students find a scientist with whom they can relate in some way and then explore and reflect upon the impact of that scientist’s work.

This activity allows students to choose a scientist, and the part of biology they study, to explore on their own. Students can select their scientist from the “Scientist Profiles” document, which includes links to related BioInteractive Scientists at Work videos. After investigating the scientist and their research, students write and revise a short piece of writing about what they learned. 

Two versions of the “Student Handout” are available for this activity. The short handout focuses on notetaking and writing short paragraphs. The extended handout has students read a piece of primary literature from the scientist and then write a 400- to 500-word essay. Both handouts were designed to promote transparent teaching strategies and include rubrics for the written assignments.
 

Student Learning Targets
  • Collect and synthesize information about a scientist and their research using multiple sources. 
  • Explain how a scientist’s research relates to your life and/or society in general.
  • (extended handout only) Read and interpret sections of a scientific paper. 
     
Details
Estimated Time
One 50-minute class period.
Key Terms

experiment, rubric, scientific method, transparency, writing

Terms of Use

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

Accessibility Level

The documents for this resource meet accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 05.06.20
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

SEP8

AP Biology (2019)

SP1, SP2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.2, ELA.RST.9–12.7, ELA.RST.9–12.10, ELA.WHST.9–12.3, ELA.WHST.9–12.4, ELA.WHST.9–12.8, ELA.WHST.9–12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

DP6

Materials
Educator Materials (PDF) 253 KB
Student Handout — Short (PDF) 249 KB
Student Handout — Extended (PDF) 263 KB
Scientist Profiles (PDF) 4 MB

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