Course title

Pre-requisite

Course description

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to research methodology in the natural and social sciences. This will be accomplished by accessing scientific databases by using on-line bibliographic search techniques; consulting doctoral-level research scholars; developing hypotheses; performing experiments; writing research papers and making presentations at various scientific symposia. In addition; students may participate in national science competitions.
Arizona State University
Evaluation of Laboratory Science Courses

Name of Course: __Science Research (Peoria Unified School District Elective Science Credit)

Duration of Study: (full year; one semester; trimester): One semester on a 90 minute block schedule which is equivalent to a full year course.

What is the textbook title and copyright date?
No specific textbook is used in the course. The materials used come from a variety of sources dependent upon the students? selected topics for research. Scientific journals and data bases are typical. Please note that PUSD course requirements include the establishment of a partnership with a scientist in the field providing mentoring for teachers and students; as well as; access to relevant current research..

Sample sources utilized for a planetary geology research project focused on Mars:
1. A Traveler's Guide to Mars by William K. Hartmann (Paperback - August 21; 2003)
2. Science; American Association for the Advancement of Science
3. Nature; Nature Publishing Group
4. Journal of Geophysical Research; American Geophysical Union
5. http://usgs.gov/
6. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
7. http://jmars.asu.edu/

Approximately how much time per week do students spend conducting hands-on laboratory experiments in this course?
The Science Research class in the Peoria Unified School District meets every day for ninety (90) minutes. This equates to 135 hours over one semester (90 days times 1.5 hours = 135 hours). Approximately 100 hours of that time is allocated for student participation in the scientific research process including experimental design; background research; experimentation; drawing conclusions and communication of findings.

Briefly describe course content. Please include a list of the laboratory experiments or projects you do that require manipulation of equipment.
This course is designed to provide students with an authentic science research experience. This will be accomplished by accessing scientific data bases; using on-line bibliographic search techniques; consulting doctoral-level researchers; developing hypotheses; performing experiments; writing research papers and communicating findings.
Students spend approximately 75% - 80% of class time engaged in the research process. One to three initial hands-on experiences are utilized to assess and build scientific processes skills. Specific research skills such as conducting a literature search; writing a proposal; and analyzing data will be taught then utilized by students in the completion of their individual research projects.

Course Outcomes:
1. Utilize technology and inquiry to increase understanding of the natural world
2. Access and evaluate scientific literature for relevance to a topic
3. Design and conduct independent scientific research involving the collection and analysis of data.
4. Analyze and communicate the findings of scientific research

Labs:
Introductory Labs - Teachers will use two to three labs to formatively access and build scientific inquiry skills. Selection will be based on the topics of interest and need of students. All introductory labs require students to determine their own questions regarding the provided demonstration or situation then design and conduct a lab utilizing the materials and parameters provided.

Sample Introductory Labs:
effect of pH on living organisms microbiological investigations
gas lab determining volcano type using JMARS
determining limiting reactants geological features image analysis
indoor CO2 build-up protein extraction/proteomics
transforming colonies isolation of DNA/ Fingerprinting

Using standard Scientific Method outlined by the following questions; describe one typical laboratory assignment associated with this course.

Sample Research Project - Geological Features of Mars

State the question or concept investigated during this laboratory assignment.
Preserved Craters and Wind Streaks- What is the relationship between preserved crater diameters and their associated wind streaks when comparing two different regions on the surface of Mars?
One of the main erosion agents on Mars is wind. Mars has wind patterns that may encompass the entire planet. One of the prominent wind-related (Aeolian) features which can be readily seen is wind streaks which are found in conjunction with craters. By analyzing the crater diameters and wind streak lengths found in two different regions on Mars; potential similarities can hopefully be found. As such; if global winds are commonplace on Mars then no appreciable differences should be found.

Formulate a hypothesis for the question.
The relationship between preserved crater diameters and wind streak lengths will be similar in different regions of Mars.
Alternate Hypothesis
There is no relationship between preserved crater diameters and wind streak lengths in different regions of Mars.

Please note that the investigable question and alternate hypotheses arise from students? extensive background research that includes current scientific literature and contact with a scientist in the field.

Formulate a prediction based on the hypothesis using ?if/then? statements.

If preserved crater diameters and wind streak lengths are analyzed in similar regions of Mars and Mars has global wind patterns; then similar relationships between preserved crater size and wind streak length should be found in different regions.

Describe the experiment you performed to prove or disprove your hypothesis. List all essential materials. Describe each step you performed in the experiment.

Materials:
MOLA Map
Computers with GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) and JMARS CIS download
http://jmars.asu.edu/ JMARS ? Java Mission planning and Analysis for Remote Sensing
http://themis-data.asu.edu This site will be used to look at THEMIS images of collapsed lava tubes on Mars.
http://www.astrodigital.org/mars/features.html This site will be used to classify Martian features.
http://pubs.usgs.gov/imap/i2782/i2782_sh1.pdf This site will be used to locate region names on the map using latitude and longitude.

Procedures:
1. Search the THEMIS image data base to obtain THEMIS images containing preserved craters and associated wind streaks from two separate regions on the surface of Mars: Region 1 Syrtis Major and Region 2 Elisium Planitia. Each region will be defined by a 20 degree by 20 degree search grid.
2. Record image ID; latitude; longitude; crater diameter and wind streak lengths in km.
3. Utilize JMARS layering program specifically using THEMIS stamps from each of the targeted regions.
4. Each image with preserved crater and wind streak will be measured using the MOLA elevation layer 128ppd.
5. All image data (crater diameter and wind streak length) will be recorded.

Describe the results of your experiment or study. Use graphs and charts where appropriate.

Data Table:

Crater Diameter and Associated Wind Streaks

Explain your data or results. Give an analysis of your experiment.
Based upon the graphical results; it can be determined that a correlation does exist between the preserved crater diameters and wind streak lengths in each of the two regions. Specifically; Region 1 (Syrtis Major) showed a correlation of .766. The data indicates that in roughly 76% of the craters and wind streaks measured do show a relationship to one another. The second region (Elisium Planitia) showed a similar correlation of .809. Statistically the two areas are very similar to one another indicating that there is a direct relationship between crater diameters and wind streak length.

Write a conclusion for your study. Was your hypothesis supported or refuted?
The stated hypothesis; the relationship between preserved crater diameters and wind streak lengths will be similar in different regions of Mars; was supported by the data obtained from analyzed images. Each of the two areas displayed numerous craters and wind streaks demonstrating similarities in the crater size wind streak relationship being studied. It can be ascertained that the two regions are very similar to one another suggesting that winds on Mars are global in nature and tend to blow in uniform directions for long periods of time. Further research would need to include the collection of additional data from the two initial regions as will as additional regions on Mars to further the understanding of global wind patterns.

Students follow the usual format for a conclusion indicating if their hypothesis was supported or refuted; explaining findings within the context of science concepts and reasonable inferences. In addition students propose questions for further investigations related to the findings in this activity or propose methods for enhancing the work.

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Requested competency code

Date submitted

Approved

Approved competency code

• LINT
• Integrated science

Approved date

Online / Virtual