The scientific method in undersea archaeology
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/17/g912/methods.html
A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Science
Learn more
Help
Please read our disclaimer for lesson plans.
Legal
This catalog record is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License. This license applies to the content of this page only and does not apply to the referenced website.
In this Xpeditions lesson, students analyze how the scientific method has been used in studies of the Black Sea.
Students will:
- review the scientific method;
- discuss the purpose of and theories behind the Black Sea study;
- read a dispatch from the research and list the steps of the scientific method that were used;
- make flowcharts showing the scientific process described in this dispatch;
- read the other dispatches and list two additional hypotheses and the steps the scientists took to investigate them;
- discuss the importance of using the scientific method in archaeology; and
- write a new hypothesis and research plan that the scientists might use on their next expedition to the Black Sea.
Xpeditions provides links to web resources that contain information about the Black Sea and the scientific method, as well as detailed instructions for completing the lesson and suggestions for assessment and extension activities.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 9–12 — Earth/Environmental Science
- Goal 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry in the earth and environmental sciences.
- Objective 1.01: Identify questions and problems in the earth and environmental sciences that can be answered through scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.02: Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer questions related to earth and environmental science.
- Create testable hypotheses
- Identify variables.
- Use a control or comparison group when appropriate.
- Select and use appropriate measurement tools.
- Collect and record data.
- Organize data into charts and graphs.
- Analyze and interpret data.
- Communicate findings.
- Objective 1.05: Analyze reports of scientific investigations and environmental issues from an informed scientifically literate viewpoint including considerations of:
- Appropriate sample.
- Adequacy of experimental controls.
- Replication of findings.
- Alternative interpretations of the data.
- Goal 4: The learner will build an understanding of the hydrosphere and its interactions and influences on the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and environmental quality.
- Objective 4.04: Evaluate water resources:
- Storage and movement of groundwater.
- Ecological services provided by the ocean
- Environmental impacts of a growing human population.
- Causes of natural and manmade contamination.
- Objective 4.04: Evaluate water resources:
