Making a Case for the Scientific Method

Students are divided into two groups. Each individual is given a brown bag with everyday household materials

Group One: Items to make a paper airplane
Group Two: Items to make a water balloon protection container

Using the steps of the scientific method they have to create either a paper airplane they believe will travel the farthest or a container that will protect a water balloon that is dropped from the top of the bleachers.

While constructing the item students record each of the steps in a multimedia presentation (Powerpoint or Windows Movie Maker).

Questions to address:

1) Observe and ask questions: What do you know about the materials you have been given? How have you used these materials before? What are you being asked to make? Have you ever made or used something similar before?

2) Form a Hypothesis: Which do you think are the best materials to use? What is the best way to make your item?

3) Plan/Conduct the Experiment: Where will you conduct your experiment?

4) Draw conclusions: After using the item you constructed do you think it was successful? What could you do differently next time?