Conceptually Challenging Science Investigations

CONCEPTUALLY
CHALLENGING SCIENCE
INVESTIGATIONS

Table of Contents
PART:A- Science Investigation Activity.........................................................................................3
Investigative Activity-1...............................................................................................................3
Investigative Activity-2...............................................................................................................4
Investigative Activity-3...............................................................................................................5
Investigative Activity-4...............................................................................................................7
PART B............................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

PART:A- Science Investigation Activity
Activity-1
Overview
Sub-strand: Earth/ Planetary Sciences
Grade level: Year 6
Context: The question is why do volcanic eruptions occurs, how these irruptions takes place. the
videos on volcanoes in different parts of world were shown.
Alternative Conceptions:
The students can think about volcanoes that it can randomly located across the earth's surface
and are found in hot climates only.
Curriculum connections: The students will demonstrate the ability to follow the process and
develop investigable questions and design investigations on volcanic eruptions. The students will
be understanding that how natural events can cause the changes to earths surface.
Objective of the Activity: To become familiar and get the understanding about the process
involved in volcanic eruption also to gain knowledge about what happens during a volcanic
eruptions.
Safety Management:
 Select and open area or laboratory and do not perform it in a closed room (Huhtamaa and
Helama, 2017).
 Wear safety glasses, gloves and apron.
 Protect desk or floor using sheets.
Pre-Practical Discussion:
1. Discussion about why do the volcanic eruptions takes place? Also how does tectonic
plates play their role in these explosions?
2. Examining the states of the matter that is solid, liquid and gases.
3. The understanding of concepts about the topic.
Practical Activity:
1. Materials used while performing the experiments, and the measurements of vinegar,
baking soda, washing liquid, colours.

2. Students will be adding baking soda, dish soap and colours into the top of the volcano at
the top.
3. After that add vinegar into the container and now the volcano will be erupted.
Post-Practical Discussion:
1. Observations from the activity will be collected.
2. Finding from this experiment will be evaluated.
3. Also discussion about temperature of vinegar, shape of the volcano impacts the explosion
or not.
Activity-2
Overview
Sub-strand: Physical Sciences
Grade level: Year 3
Context: The class has completed the unit of cohesion and adhesion of water. This chapter
describes about the water droplet has different shapes on different types of surfaces (Cohesion
and adhesion of water, 2021).
Alternative Conception: Students can think that because of the coins there is lesser water in the
glass.
Curriculum connections: The students will be further heading towards identifying specific
proceedings related to working on scientific aspect, related with surface tension as it is a natural
phenomenon.
Objective of activity: To develop a clear understanding about the change in shapes of water
droplets according to changes in surfaces.
Safety Management: To carefully observe the experiment and detail it in report. Other no such
safety precautions are required.
5E's Instruction Model:
Engage Phase: The students will be reading the lesson and understanding the concept about the
surfaces tension on different surfaces.
Explore Phase: Exploring the different surfaces such as wax paper, rim of the glass, oiled plastic
wrap and untreated plastic wrap and put water drops on different surface (Essafri and et.al.,
2019). Then the students will be observing the different shapes or cohesion and adhesion of
water drops.