Name of Lesson: Introduction to Scientific

Method - Marble Stacking Using Google

Spreadsheet
Grade Level: 3
Subject: Science
Prepared by: Mary Fran Lynch

Overview and Purpose:

Students are introduced to the scientific method through a hands-on activity using Google
Spreadsheet to record data and report findings.

Educational Standards - California Third Grade Content Standards, Investigation and

Experimentation

Students will:

• 5.c. Use numerical data in describing and comparing objects, events, and measurements.
• 5.d. Predict the outcome of a simple investigation and compare the result with the
prediction.
• 5.e. Collect data in an investigation and analyze those data to develop a logical conclusion.

Objectives:

• Students will be introduced to the Scientific Method and its vocabulary.

• Students will make a hypothesis and record it.
• Students will perform the activity at least twice and make careful observations on their
method each time.
• Students will record their results and compare it to their prediction.
• Students will compare and contrast the data of their investigation and that of their
classmates.

Materials Needed:

• Spice jar caps, one for each student, each one being the same
• at least 20 marbles for each student

Other Resources:

• computers with internet access

• a pre-constructed Google Spreadsheet
• a projector connected to one of the computers

Lesson:

Prior to the lesson, the teacher will open a Google Spreadsheet and copy the student names into
column A.
The teacher will introduce the term "Scientific Method" and conduct a grand conversation with
students about what they think it means, leading them to understand that it is the series of steps
a scientist follows when they want to find an answer to a question.

The teacher will show students a Scientific Method flow-chart and discuss each of the steps.

The teacher will tell students that today they will be scientists and show the spice caps and
marbles. The teacher will ask the students what question could they ask and test using these
materials, directing the students to ask, "How many marbles will the spice cap hold?"

The teacher will show the students the Google Spreadsheet. The question will be entered.

The teacher will ask the students how they will test the question and direct the conversation to
have students suggest column headings for spreadsheet, including each student's hypothesis, a
column for the student to record their method for stacking their marbles and make their
observations, two columns to record the number of marbles the student was able to stack each
time (data), a column for the student analyze their data and to draw conclusions.

Activity:

After the teacher demonstrates how to fill in the spreadsheet, students will be given the spice
caps and marbles and will proceed to carry out their activity and make their observations.

The Google Spreadsheet will be projected as students enter their data from a number of
classroom computers.

Assessment:

Once students have entered their data and observations, the teacher will conduct a grand
conversation about the similarities and differences in the data and what might have caused the
differences in the findings. (To make the conversation more interesting, the teacher may want to
give a few students a different sized marble).

The teacher will informally assess understanding through the classroom conversation referring to
the spreadsheet.

Students will write a reflection essay on what Scientific Method is and give an example of another
question that could be answered using Scientific Method.