Scientists Are Not Creative When They Do Their Work

NOS Card Game

Object: collect as many cards that are consistent with the current view of nature of science. (The correct cards are: 3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,14,15,16,20,22,30)

(1) Pass out 10 cards to each student/pair. (2) Tell them they are trying to get the best “hand.” The group holding the most “adequate” cards will win the game. So, the goal is to get 10 “adequate” cards. (3) Sort: students are to look at their hands and sort the good ones from the bad ones. (4) Trade: they can trade with anyone they want for the first few minutes. During these trades, they have to trade card-for-card so that each trader ends up with 10 cards. (5) Improve hand by doing Task Cards. Once this period is done, then the students must complete a task (OGT Q) correctly in order to draw from the remaining card bank in the front of the room. To do this, . Take a Task Card (green) from the front . Return to your seat, . Come up with the correct answer. Everyone in your group must agree on the answer. . When you are sure of the right answer, bring your card up to the front to me, and I will check your answer. . If you answered your task card correctly, you will be able to draw a new card from the card bank. You may do this up to 3 times. At the end of the time frame, the group with the best hand (most correct cards) wins. 2. Scientific theories may turn into 1. Scientists are not creative when they laws if they are supported by a lot of do their work. evidence

3. Scientists have to use their 4. Scientific theories are explanations imagination to come up with their of how the world works investigations.

5. Scientists always use the scientific 6. Scientific laws show patterns or method. relationships in science

7. Scientists use many methods 8. Scientific laws can change. 9. Scientists collect evidence 10. Scientific theories can change.

11. Scientists make observations with 12. Inferences are interpretations of their senses observations.

13. Scientific theories are guesses about 14. Scientific observations can be how the world works evidence for scientific ideas

15. Scientists’ background knowledge 16. Scientific ideas are shaped by the influences the kinds of observations society and culture of individual they make. scientists. 17. Scientists are very objective when 18. The scientific method is never used they do their work. in science.

19. We can be 100% sure of scientific 20. Scientists’ background knowledge is findings if proper scientific methods important for how they interpret were used. their results.

21. Scientists use scientific procedures 22. Science can only answer questions more than creativity. about things that can be observed

23. Science and its methods can answer 24. When scientists are 100% certain all questions. about an idea, it becomes a law. 25. Scientists are particularly objective 26. When all scientists agree on an idea, in their work. it becomes a law.

28. Eventually, scientists will be sure 27. Experiments are the main way to get about how the dinosaurs went to scientific knowledge. extinct.

29. All work in science is reviewed to 30. The ideas in our science textbooks keep the process honest. may change ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Task Cards (copy on green)

(1) In his investigations of air, Henry Cavendish discovered a small bubble of leftover gas that would not combine with nitrogen. His observations went unnoticed until William Ramsay performed experiments in which he obtained similar results. Ramsay recalled and repeated Cavendish’s experiments exactly to verify the results. Then, using Gustav Kirchhoff’s spectroscopy technique, Ramsay was able to identify the leftover gas as the element he called argon. Upon further investigation, he found the elements neon, krypton and xenon.

Based on this information, it can be said that

A. the combined work of Cavendish, Kirchhoff and Ramsay led to the discovery of the noble gases. B. Kirchhoff’s work was insignificant in the investigations leading to the discovery of argon. C. Ramsay violated ethical practice in science by repeating Cavendish’s experiments. D. Cavendish is directly responsible for the discovery of argon, but not neon, krypton or xenon.

(2) Antoine Lavoisier developed a model of an acid from which he concluded that acids were oxygen- containing binary compounds. Later, Davy and Gay-Lussac demonstrated that hydrogen was the essential element in acids. This example from history shows that Lavoisier’s model

A. did not take into account the correct charge on hydrogen ions. B. was a failure, since bases, not acids, are able to contain oxygen. C. was rejected as more information was collected. D. was a mere hypothesis with no data to support it.

(3) An agricultural scientist wants to determine the effect of fertilizers on corn plant growth. She selects a fertilizer to treat a soil plot where corn seeds have just sprouted. Describe an appropriate control she could use to determine whether the fertilizer affects growth of the corn plants. Explain why it is important to include this control. Respond in the space provided in your.

(4) The water level in a graduated cylinder rises from 10 cm3 to 35 cm3 when a solid lead ball is added. What is the approximate volume of the lead ball?

A. 3.5 cm3 B. 25 cm3 C. 35 cm3 D. 45 cm3

(5) Engineers are designing an auditorium that will be used for performances by orchestras. What must they do to maximize the loudness of the sound heard by the audience?

A. hang curtains behind the orchestra B. put carpet all around the walls of the auditorium C. hang reflecting panels from the ceiling behind the orchestra D. install narrow glass windows and skylights around the top of the walls (6) Science Title: Water Temperature Experiment

Students studied the effect of ice on the temperature of a sample of water. First, they put 500 mL of cold water (at 10°C) into each of four beakers. Next, they measured and recorded the initial temperature of the water in each beaker. Then, they added various amounts of ice as shown in the table below. They continued to measure the temperature over a period of 30 minutes. Their results are shown in the graph below. The temperature of the room during the experiment was 22°C.

After reviewing these results, Archie suggested, “The more ice you add to a drink, the colder the drink will become.” Using data collected in the experiment, write an explanation to Archie for why his conclusion is incorrect and what effect additional ice will have on the temperature of his drink. Respond in the space provided in your Answer Document. (2 points) (7) Science Title: Water Temperature Experiment

Students studied the effect of ice on the temperature of a sample of water. First, they put 500 mL of cold water (at 10°C) into each of four beakers. Next, they measured and recorded the initial temperature of the water in each beaker. Then, they added various amounts of ice as shown in the table below. They continued to measure the temperature over a period of 30 minutes. Their results are shown in the graph below. The temperature of the room during the experiment was 22°C.

Which was the independent (manipulated) variable in this experiment?

A. the amount of water in each beaker B. the amount of ice added to each beaker C. the initial temperature of the water in each beaker D. the amount of time during which observations took place (8) Science Title: Cataracts

In 2004, wildlife rescuers found a great horned owl nearly dead from starvation. The owl’s eyes had formed cataracts, which cloud the natural lens and inhibit the eye’s ability to focus and form clear images. Cataracts can be inherited or acquired as a result of aging, disease and/or use of certain medications. Without clear vision, the owl, named Minerva, had been unable to hunt. Minerva was taken to the Veterinary School at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, after a local veterinarian confirmed the presence of cataracts. A pair of lenses specifically made for owls was implanted in Minerva’s eyes. After the surgery and a recovery period, Minerva was moved to a large, enclosed area where small rodents were released and her ability to hunt was to be evaluated. Scientists confirmed that, if she showed a clear ability to hunt, she would be released back into her natural habitat. All cataracts were originally thought to be acquired; however, recent research indicates that some cataracts are genetic in nature.

What type of study would be most likely to lend support to the claim that cataracts can be inherited?

A. analysis of cataract thickness in several species B. studying age-related onset of cataracts within a species C. linkage studies on DNA from families with a history of cataracts D. comparing characteristics of cataracts caused by specific diseases

(9) Some strains of laboratory mice have been inbred for many generations, resulting in large numbers of mice with nearly identical genetic makeup. Explain an advantage of using these mice in designing an experiment to test the effects of a new drug. Compare this to a test using mice with varied genetic makeup. Respond in the space provided in your Answer Document. (2 points)

(10) Himalayan rabbits are native to the Himalayan Mountains, where a great deal of snow falls annually. These rabbits have white fur over most of their bodies, with black fur on the ears, noses, feet, and tails. This color pattern results from temperature differences in different parts of the rabbits’ bodies. Areas where the body temperature is below 33oC, the fur grows in black.

To demonstrate this color change, a scientist shaved a small area of fur on the backs of adult Himalayan rabbits. Ice packs were kept on the shaved areas long enough for the rabbits’ fur to begin growing back. When the ice packs were removed the fur growing beneath them was black.

Suppose the same scientist wanted a Himalayan rabbit with white feet. Which procedure would most likely generate these results?

A. place ice packs on the rabbit's feet B. place the rabbit outside on a sunny day C. place the rabbit outside when it is snowing D. place the rabbit in a cage with a heated floor (11) In a classic study of predator-prey interactions, the numbers of snowshoe hare pelts and lynx pelts sold to a trading company by trappers were recorded over a period of 100 years. Both lynx and hare populations appear to oscillate in a regular pattern over a period of about ten years. One explanation for this pattern is that heavy predation reduces the snowshoe hare population, which in turn reduces the lynx population. More recently, scientists have proposed that the hare population oscillates due to diseases caused by overcrowding or by the effects of its own feeding activities on vegetation.

One assumption about the data used in this study is that

A. oscillations in population size occur every ten years. B. the number of pelts reflects the size of the populations. C. snowshoe hares have an impact on their food supply. D. hares and lynx were trapped over a period of 100 years. (12) A medical research group placed the following advertisement in a newspaper:

In order for potential participants to make a medically sound decision, what is the research group’s ethical obligation?

A. Pay all participants’ health insurance costs during the entire course of the study. B. Inform participants of the exact amount of compensation they will be receiving. C. Provide participants with a list of additional studies that may be relevant to their condition. D. Disclose all medical procedures and provide information on risks and potential side effects.

(13) When a medical technician analyzes human body fluids such as blood, which safety precaution would not be necessary?

A. protective gloves B. safety goggles/face shield C. closed-toed shoes D. lead-lined apron

(15) Which is the first step in a design process? A. Revise the solution B. Describe the problem. C. Test the possible solutions. D. Identify possible solutions. (14) A medical researcher is investigating immune response in patients exposed to a specific pathogen. The graph below shows the concentration of a particular antibody in the bloodstream produced during the process of acquired immunity. One curve shows the primary immune response (after the first exposure to the pathogen), and the other curve shows the secondary immune response (after the second exposure to the pathogen).

A vaccination serves as the first exposure to a pathogen and triggers the body’s primary immune response. Some vaccines contain weakened or inactive pathogens. Other vaccines contain highly similar but nonpathogenic forms.

Describe two benefits of receiving a vaccine, such as the polio vaccine, in protecting the body against disease, and include data from the graph to support each benefit. Respond in the space provided in your Answer Document. (4 points)

(16) A teacher demonstrates how ice changes states. Two students record how long it takes for ice to change to steam, as shown.

In your Answer Document, explain why student 2’s record is more understandable than student 1’s record.

Then, explain why accurate and understandable records are important. (2 points) (17) Millions of years ago, the insect shown was trapped in sticky tree sap. The dried tree sap is now called amber. Amber looks like a clear gold or brown stone.

Which statement is an opinion about the amber?

A. Amber is made of hardened tree sap. B. Ancient insects can be found in amber. C. Amber was formed millions of years ago. D. All insects prefer tree sap as a food source. (18) Two students want to find out what affects the sounds heard through model telephones. They investigate the materials used and the tightness of the material connecting the cups.

Their first three setups are shown. They use the same length of string or wire in each setup. The boy repeats the same sounds at the same volume for each setup.

They record results of the three setups in the table below.

The two students want classmates to repeat the investigation so that they can compare results.

What should the students communicate so that results may be compared?

A. materials and steps used in the investigation B. conclusions about results from the investigation C. where they got the idea for making model telephones D. where to purchase the materials for model telephones (19) Two students want to find out what affects the sounds heard through model telephones. They investigate the materials used and the tightness of the material connecting the cups.

Which variable changed between setup 1 and setup 2?

A. the type of cups used B. the number of cups used C. the tightness of the string D. the thickness of the string (20) Two students want to find out what affects the sounds heard through model telephones. They investigate the materials used and the tightness of the material connecting the cups.

Two other students investigate model telephones made with paper and plastic cups. They find that sound is transmitted better using plastic cups.

The class wants to make a model telephone that makes the best sound possible. They use the results of both investigations.

Which setup should they use?

A. plastic cups and tight string B. paper cups and tight string C. plastic cups and tight wire D. paper cups and tight wire (21) A student created this table for a report on animals that can be found in Ohio.

Some Animals Found in Ohio

Student A studies the potato beetle. He concludes that all animals that lay eggs only live in crop fields.

Student B notes that the red-tailed hawk lays eggs. It lives in both grasslands and crop fields.

What should student A do with his own conclusion?

A. Keep the conclusion. The new data confirm it. B. Keep the conclusion. The new data are not related to it. C. Revise the conclusion. Collect more data about animals that live in crop fields. D. Revise the conclusion. Collect more data about habitats of animals that lay eggs.

(22) The two graduated cylinders pictured can hold the same amount of water and use the same scale. A student measures the masses of two metal balls. One ball is made of aluminum and the other ball is made of lead. The student adds 50 mL of water to each graduated cylinder and then drops one metal ball into each graduated cylinder.

Which tool did the student use to measure the mass of each metal ball?

A. ruler B. timer C. balance D. graduated cylinder (23) The two graduated cylinders pictured can hold the same amount of water and use the same scale. A student measures the masses of two metal balls. One ball is made of aluminum and the other ball is made of lead. The student adds 50 mL of water to each graduated cylinder and then drops one metal ball into each graduated cylinder.

The student includes the sentence below in the write-up of this investigation.

The lead ball has a measured mass of 113 grams.

Which kind of scientific statement is this sentence?

A. inference B. prediction C. explanation D. observation

(26) Students do an investigation on the reaction of baking soda with vinegar. They create a data table to record the mass (grams) and temperature (degrees Celsius) of the mixture every 5 seconds. Several pieces of data are missing from the table.

In your Answer Document, give one example of how the incomplete data make it difficult for the students to draw conclusions about the changes that occur when baking soda reacts with vinegar.

Explain how the incomplete data will affect the ability of other students to reproduce the experiment. (2 points) (24) The weather information shown below was reported on Sunday, the 15th of the month, and two days later on Tuesday, the 17th of the month. The table includes conditions for Sunday only, whereas the maps report early morning conditions for both Sunday and Tuesday.

According to the table of weather conditions, what was the average temperature in degrees Fahrenheit in Cleveland, Ohio, for the 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. on Sunday?

A. 53 degrees Fahrenheit B. 59 degrees Fahrenheit C. 61 degrees Fahrenheit D. 65 degrees Fahrenheit (25) Ms. Williams’ science class uses a toy car race to study and collect data about forces and motion. The racetrack shown has a 6-meter ramp and a 5-meter level section to the finish line. Two cars compete at a time

The data table and graph below show the speed and total distance traveled for car 1 and car 2 during the first three seconds of a race.

The data table and graph show speeds and distances during a race between car 1 and car 2.

In your Answer Document, state which car won the race. Provide support to explain why your answer is correct. (2 points) Answers: 1. A 2. C

3. Answer: a soil spot where corn seeds have just sprouted, without any fertilizer added 4. B 5. C

6. The drink will never get colder than ice itself (0o C), and the graph above shows that the temperature of the ice is not colder than that.

7. B 8. C

9. Answer: Using an inbred line of mice would help you to control other variables. If the mice had a varied genetic makeup, some of them would have traits that the others did not. It is possible that some of these traits would allow some of them to do better with a new drug than others. By using the inbred mice, you eliminate this possibility.

10. D 11. B 12. D 13. D

14. Answer: (1) The number of antibodies in your bloodstream is higher (almost twice as high according to the graph) and (2) the amount of antibodies in your bloodstream peaks faster (1 day after exposure instead of 2 days during the vaccination).

16. Answer: Part 1: Student 2’s data is more understandable than Student 1’s because Student 2 shows the time and the associated temperature together. For Student 1, you don’t know what time in minutes those temperatures correspond to. Part 2: Accurate and understandable records are important for communicating scientists’ findings so that others can (1) judge the quality of their work and (2) possibly repeat their work and compare results.

17. D 18. A 19.C 20.C 21.D 22.C 23.D 24.B

25. Answer: Car 1 won the race because (1) it traveled at a higher speed than car 2 at all points during the first 3 seconds, (2) it traveled more distance (11 m) than car 2 which only traveled 8.16 m.

26. Answer: The incomplete data makes it difficult for the students to draw conclusions about the changes that occur because (1) students will have a hard time figuring out the change in mass because the initial mass (the mass at the beginning of the investigation) of the mixture is missing, (2) the data that is missing at 15 seconds will make students estimate a trend in the changing mass and temperature for this time, and (3) the missing final temperatures keep the students from finding the total change in temperature of the whole investigation. Also, it would be hard for other students to do this investigation again because they would have to compare their data to a data table that is not complete.

1. Scientists are not creative when they do their work. 2. Scientific theories may turn into laws if they are supported by a lot of evidence 3. Scientists have to use their imagination to come up with their investigations. 4. Scientific theories are explanations of how the world works 5. Scientists always use the scientific method. 6. Scientific laws show patterns or relationships in science 7. Scientists use many methods 8. Scientific laws can change. 9. Scientists collect evidence 10. Scientific theories can change. 11. Scientists make observations with their senses 12. Inferences are interpretations of observations. 13. Scientific theories are guesses about how the world works 14. Scientific observations can be evidence for scientific ideas 15. Scientists’ background knowledge influences the kinds of observations they make. 16. Scientific ideas are shaped by the society and culture of individual scientists. 17. Scientists are very objective when they do their work. 18. The scientific method is never used in science. 19. We can be 100% sure of scientific findings if proper scientific methods were used. 20. Scientists’ background knowledge is important for how they interpret their results. 21. Scientists use scientific procedures more than creativity. 22. Science can only answer questions about things that can be observed 23. Science and its methods can answer all questions. 24. When scientists are 100% certain about an idea, it becomes a law. 25. Scientists are particularly objective in their work. 26. When all scientists agree on an idea, it becomes a law. 27. Experiments are the main way to get to scientific knowledge. 28. Eventually, scientists will be sure about how the dinosaurs went extinct. 29. All work in science is reviewed to keep the process honest. 30. The ideas in our science textbooks may change