Integrative Ecology Education
The goal in Activity 1 is to show students how the scientific method is used throughout an experiment and begin to identify the structure of a scientific research paper. Two resources are given which together explain the method and findings from Dr. Mariette's work, an animated YouTube video paired with a written scientific report.
'Zebra Finches tell parents its hot outside'
By calling to their eggs, zebra finch parents may be helping their young prepare for a hotter world brought on by climate change. This video gives a simple verbal and visual explanation of the research process carried out by Mylene. Initially it gives a good introduction to students about the research before being presented with the written research paper.
Task One: Understanding the Experiment
Resource: Nature Calls Research Paper (Found in the teacher resources tab)
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Scientific writing follows a structured set of headings, allowing scientist to clearly and easily explain the elements of their experiment. For students, being able to recognise these elements within a paper will help them to understand the scientific process of carrying out an experiment and also how they can use these headings within science writing themselves.
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In order to first explain what we are looking for in the article, the elements included in a science paper are summarised below:
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Aim: The aim of any study is the purpose or intention behind why we are conducting it
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Hypothesis: A proposed explanation of what will be observed in the form of a testable question
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Materials and Method: How the research was carried out, the systematic procedure of how it took place and what was needed to do so
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Results: The findings of a study without interpretation. These usually come in the form of graphs or tables
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Conclusion: What information did the results find? An interpretation of the data and a summary of whether the hypothesis was supported by the investigation
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(Results and conclusions are very different, result simply state the data found whereas the conclusion offers an explanation for why the data showed what it did and what these results mean)
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Activity:
As a class, begin this lesson by listing these five headings on the board and creating student discussion around what each of the following headings mean. Have students write out the meanings to refer back to later.
Before giving out the 'Nature Calls' research paper, use the YouTube video above to engage students in the research that took place and to simplify the findings of the research paper.
Have students read through the research paper and highlight information that expresses any of the headings discussed earlier.
Once students have finished reading, have them write out the; AIM, HYPOTHESIS, METHOD, RESULT AND CONCLUSION of the study outlined in the research paper.
(Solutions to Task One can be found in Activity 1 Teacher Resource page)
Task Two:Â Studying Ecological Language
When writing ecology reports and scientific reports in general, the language used can be quite science specific. When we come across words we may not understand, finding out definitions can hep to continue the understanding of a topic and build upon our scientific repertoire. Having read the words below within the context of a science paper, have students research and define what these words mean.
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Activity: In groups of two look up the following definitions of terms and present these in a poster, PowerPoint or other suitable format
Ambient temperature:
Opportunistic breeder:
Microclimates:Â
Physiological:
Neurological:Â
Embryo:
Dependant variable:
Independent variable:
Oviparous animal
Control group:
Thermoregulation system:
Task Three: NATURE CALLS: Analysing Mylene Mariette’s Research Paper
After breaking down the research paper this worksheet can be used to assess the understanding of students of what they have learn't. These questions can be used towards the end of the class as a formative task and can be done as a group if significant discussion around correct answers is needed.
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The worksheet can be downloaded by clicking below. Answers can be found in the teacher resource page
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Activity: Complete the worksheet attached below
Extension Activity
Can be completed as a homework activity or a summative task
As Mylene has done in her research, have students pose a research question in order to study a behaviour of their own animal or an animal belonging to someone they know. Identify something they notice the animal doing and using the scientific writing elements briefly design an experiment to research why this behaviour is being displayed.