SBA Biology Conference 2013 Lau Kwok Chi SBA biology supervisor
SBA Biology Conference 2013
Lau Kwok Chi SBA biology supervisor
Verification experiments
Does photosynthesis need light/CO2?
• Verify a concept that has been learned
• Not a real investigation: - No real life problems to investigate! - No new concepts to learn!
• Only require process skills
Scientific Process Skills
• Identify question • Set hypothesis • Design experiment • Present results • Draw conclusion • Manipulative skills
How much?
Two aims/kinds of investigations
Investigation for concept learning – learn about new biology concepts
Investigation for problem solving – apply concepts in solving
everyday problems
Lipase activity and fat in milk
Phenolphthalein is an indicator that is pink in alkaline solutions of about pH10. When the pH drops below pH 8.3 phenolphthalein goes colourless.
Source: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-biology/investigating-effect-temperature-activity-lipase
Different designs of the investigation
Concept learning : • Enzyme properties, fat digestion,
emulsification Problem solving : • Does skimmed milk have less fat? • Does soy milk have less fat?
Two aims/kinds of investigations
Investigation for concept learning
Investigation for problem solving
Aim at concept acquisition and process skills
Aim at process skills and concept application
Conducted before concept learning
Conducted after concept learning
More teacher directed in setting problem and hypothesis
More student directed in setting problem and hypothesis
Suggestions for better investigation
• Connect investigation with concept learning
Connect investigation with everyday life and problem solving
rice
Ribena
Glucose-phosphate
Starch synthase
Starch
Find some new, interesting experiments
Make the investigation more challenging:
• set own questions and hypothesis, • quantitative measures, • multiple variables • self prepared materials and choice of
equipment • More complex design
Measuring catalase activity
Different ways of design
Concept learning/application • How is catalase activity affected by
T/substrate conc..? Problem solving • How does catalase activity change during
germination? • How does water shortage/cold shock affect
the catalase activity of seedlings? • Compare the catalase activity of banana,
broccoli and carrot
Skin sensitivity to pain and touch
• Touch each cell with a blunt point • Touch each cell with a sharp point
1 cm
Ask students to set questions and hypothesis
Does skin sensitivity to pain and touch • differ between boys and girls? • differ at different parts of the body? • diminish with repeated stimuli? • diminish with cooling?
Learn ethics in science
• BRIEFING / CONSENT SHEET
Heart rate of Daphnia How T/chemicals affect the heart rate of Daphnia?
•Bring life back to bio lab •Respect life
Nuffield Practical Biology
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-biology