Context for inclusion in Annual Dossier: This lesson plan (with supporting materials)

describes the activity that I have used in 120 and 141 to introduce students to the scientific
method, as well as to encourage my students to feel comfortable asking questions and making
mistakes in front of each other. This activity was adapted from materials publicly available
throut the National Science Teacher's Association.
Lesson 1.1 – How does science answer questions?
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this class students should understand that:
• Scientific knowledge is durable but tentative
• Scientific activity requires being both logical/systematic and creative/imaginative
• Because of social, historical and cultural influences, science can be subjective and have
bias
• Scientific knowledge is a product of both observation and inference

Lesson Plan:
• Welcome ~2 min
• Course topics ~2min
• Go over syllabus ~8 min
• What do you think about science questionnaire ~5 min
• Emails activity ~30 min
o Put in groups of 3
o Make sure everyone in your group knows your name.
o “In the envelope are 16 emails two people sent to each other. Your goal is to
use this email evidence to figure out what was generally going on in their lives.
You want to connect the emails as much as possible, create a “storyline” what
would explain why these emails were sent.”
o First, pull out 4 emails, read them and construct a storyline. Record this as
tentative explanation #1 on your worksheet.
o Okay – pull out 4 more emails. Do these give you more insight into what was
going on in The Whitney’s lives? Do they contradict what you wrote before?
Using information from all 8 of the emails you have now, construct a storyline.
Record this as tentative explanation #2.
o Okay – 2 more emails. Same thing. Record as tentative explanation #3.
o Now, meet with another group. Introduce yourselves and share your
explanations. Remember – this group might have some evidence that you didn’t
pull out of your envelope! Share your evidence across groups.
o Go back to your original group of three, and write your final tentative
explanation.
• Emails debrief ~15 min
o Have groups think about all discussion questions, but be prepared to share their
answers to a specific 1-2 with the whole class
o Link discussion back to learning objectives
o Slide about observational and experimental science and “the” scientific method
– stress that scientific hypotheses are explanations.

Materials Needed:
• Lecture Slides
• Emails in envelopes
• Half page intro questionnaire (1 per student)
• Emails activity worksheet (1 per group)
 Names:____________________________________________________________________________________  

THE EMAILS ACTVITY WORKSHEET

1. Tentative  Explanation  #1:

2. Tentative  Explanation  #2:

3. Tentative  Explanation  #3:

4. Final  Tentative  Explanation:

Questions  for  Discussion:  

1. What bits of information on the emails were valuable to your group in formulating a tentative
explanation? What wasn't valuable?

2. Give an example of an inference you had to make to develop your explanations.

3. Why would two groups develop different explanations? Do you think everyone who saw the same
set of emails would come to the same explanation?

4. Why do we say that an explanation in science is "durable but tentative?"

5. Is your final explanation "correct"? Explain. Would it be "correct" if you had seen all the emails in
your envelope?

6. How could you “test” your explanation – i.e., what could you do to show your explanation is not
correct?
 Arrowbear Summer Camp 06/30/00 09:26 AM Tech City Receipt/Confirmation for Order 4423-383287 09/12/98 11:05 PM

ABM Sumer Camp Tech City Receipt/Confirmation for Order 4423-383287
Friday, 30 June, 2000 09:26 AM Sat, 12 Sep, 1998 11:05 PM
From: "ABM Registration Desk" <[email protected]> From: TechCity.com <[email protected]>
To: [email protected] To: [email protected]

Dear Mr Whitney,

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Please bring this to camp. This is your receipt to present at the registration here
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Jeff
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Thanks again for shopping with techcity.com!
---- Payment Information:
Jeff Wright Bill To:
P.O. Box 120 WILLIAM WHITNEY Sr.
Susanville, CA 96127 86 SEE VEE LANE
REDDING, CA 96099
Credit Card
VISA **** **** **** 8342 Amount Charged: $1810.93
Product Information:
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Hotmail Print Message 01/10/09 14:07 PM Donation Confirmation 02/24/12 12:35 PM

Donation Confirmation
Friday, 24 Feb, 2012 12:35 PM
Charter Hospital Bill Payment From: "Donations" <[email protected]>
From: "William Whitney Sr." ([email protected]) To: [email protected]
Sent: Sat 01/10/09 14:07 PM
To: [email protected]

Dear Vicky,

I just paid the bill for the rehab at Charter Hospital. They rounded it
off to $ 32000.

The Cashier at the hospital said that it will appear on our credit card
statement as “MR WA REHAB”. Dear Mr W.A.Whitney,

Nice of them to do that. Thank you for your donation of $ 200 to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Your
donation is much appreciated.
See you in the evening. Thank you.

Truly yours,
Love, Jim
Bill ----
Jim Baker
Volunteer, PAF
Los Angeles, CA 90045

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 Crisis Management Counseling Payment Confirmation 04/03/08 10:34 AM Doctor Visit 10/07/92 05:47 PM

Crisis Management Counseling Payment Confirmation
Doctor Visit
Thursday, 03 Apr, 2008 10:34 AM
Saturday, 07 Oct, 1992 05:47 PM
From: "Client Services" <[email protected]>
From: "Vicky Whitney" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Dear Bill,
Dear Mr William Whitney Sr.,
I just came back from the OB/GYN clinic. Paid for the doctor’s visit. It cost
Thank you for making an online payment. Your confirmation number for the $ 122.
payment in the amount of $250.00 on the account number 4778102 is:
See you at home.
120206-003152
Love,
Please verify that the information above is correct and save this confirmation
Vicky
number should you have any questions or problems related to your payment.

Please note that some payments take longer to clear and can be returned as
unpaid at a later date. This receipt is null and void if the payment is not fully
honored at any time.
----
REMINDERS: Next appointment – 10th April at 10.15 AM. Vicky Whitney
- Please bring your insurance card with you for your appointment 86 See Vee Lane
- Please note that you MUST come in for your appointment at least 10 Redding, CA 96099
MINUTES to the scheduled time!
- Failure to show for an appointment TWICE will result in a NO-SHOW FEE of
$10.00!
----
Sandra Jenkins
Family Health Center
Redding, CA 96049




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 Hotmail Print Message 02/11/12 02:13 PM Hotmail Print Message 12/12/03 13:26 PM

(No Subject) (No Subject)

From: "Bill Whitney" ([email protected]) From: "Bill Whitney" ([email protected])
Sent: Sat 02/11/12 02:13 PM Sent: Fri 12/12/03 13:26 PM
To: [email protected] To: [email protected]

Dear Vicky, Dear Vicky,

I just settled the bill at Thousand Palms Mortuary. The total came to $ 8900. I found it at the store on 7th and Michigan. So that was easy. It only cost
$91.73.
See you at home.
See you in the evening.
Love,
Love,
Bill
Bill


















Page 1 of 1

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 Order # 23573428 05/15/11 09:48 AM Receipt No. 165892 05/21/92 11:32 A

Order # 23573428
Sunday, 15 May, 2011 09:48 AM Receipt No. 165892
From: "Customer Care" <[email protected]> Thursday, 21 May, 1992 11:32 AM
To: [email protected] From: "Goldman’s Sporting Goods" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]


Dear Mr Whitney,

Thank you for your order. Please retain this email confirmation as your
official purchase receipt.

Dear Mr Bill Whitney, Shipping to: Billing to:

William Whitney William Whitney
Thank you for shopping with us. Your order number 23573428 is ready for 10809 Florida Ave 10809 Florida Ave
pickup. Orange, CA 92669 Orange, CA 92669
Receipt No. 165892
Please bring this confirmation email and the payment of $72 is due before
pickup. Order Summary
Sub Total $86.10
Thank you Shipping $ 4.00
Sales Tax $ 8.61
Jim Total $ 98.71

----
James Brown
---- Sales Manager
Jim Neville Goldman’s Sporting Goods
Gent’s Wearhouse 2302 Erie Lane,
Redding, CA 96099 Houston, TX 77023



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 Santa Ana Honda Receipt 02/27/09 06:04 PM St. Joan’s Hospital Bill Payment Confirmation 03/01/93 01:17 PM

Santa Ana Auto Receipt
Friday, 27 Feb, 2009 06:04 PM Dear Mr W.A. Whitney,
From: "SANTA ANA AUTO" <[email protected]>
St. Joseph’s Hospital Bill Payment Confirmation
To: [email protected]
Monday, 01 Mar, 1993 01:17 PM
From: "Levi Goldman" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Dear Mr Bill Whitney,
Thank you for making an online payment. Thank you for making an online payment. Your confirmation number for the
Your confirmation number for the payment in the amount of $ 2615.00 is: payment in the amount of $3300.00 on the account number 010720039147
CXY84736 is:

Please verify that the information above is correct and save this confirmation 082811-094058-06849579
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You are required to present this receipt when you come. Please verify that the information above is correct and save this confirmation
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Thank you Please note that some payments take longer to clear and can be returned as
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Brent Hantz honored at any time.

----
Levi Goldman
St Joan’s Hospital
1100 Chicago Avenue
----
Redding, CA 96003
Santa Ana Auto

Page 1 of 1
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Hotmail Print Message 08/23/98 10:30 AM Payment Confirmation 07/10/11 10:09 AM

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From: "Toy Paradise" ([email protected])
Sunday, 10 July, 2011 10:09 AM
Sent: Sunday 08/23/98 10:30 AM
From: "Patient Services" < [email protected]>
To: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Dear Mr W.A. Whitney,
This is a notification-only email. Please do not reply to this message.
Dear Vicky Whitney, Thank you for making an online payment. Your confirmation number for the
Thank you for shopping at Toy Paradise! payment in the amount of $379.00 on the account number 110710054321 is:
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Please verify that the information above is correct and save this confirmation
Your order includes the following item(s):
number should you have any questions or problems related to your payment.
Item #: 863265
Please note that some payments take longer to clear and can be returned as
Subtotal: $214.99
unpaid at a later date. This receipt is null and void if the payment is not fully
Estimated Tax $16.50
honored at any time.
Shipping $ 0.00
Total: $231.49
----
SHIP TO:
Shirley Wu
Vicky Whitney
UC Medical Center
86 See Vee Lane
Redding CA 96099 Redding, CA 96049
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86 See Vee Lane
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Please retain a copy of this e-mail for your records. If you have any further
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Toyparadise.com Page 1 of 1
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 Hotmail Print Message 01/29/12 09:47 AM Payment Confirmation - Yahoo! Mail 10/18/11 04:09 PM

Payment Confirmation
Payment Confirmation Tuesday, 18 Oct, 2011 04:09 PM
From: "Patient Services" ([email protected]) From: "Patient Services" < [email protected]>
Sent: Sun 01/29/12 09:47 AM To: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Dear Mr W.A. Whitney,
Dear Vicky Whitney,

Thank you for making an online payment. Your confirmation number for the Thank you for making an online payment. Your confirmation number for the
payment in the amount of $6100.00 on the account number 120129064532 payment in the amount of $5780.00 on the account number 111010034562
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Please verify that the information above is correct and save this confirmation Please verify that the information above is correct and save this confirmation
number should you have any questions or problems related to your payment. number should you have any questions or problems related to your payment.

Please note that some payments take longer to clear and can be returned as Please note that some payments take longer to clear and can be returned as
unpaid at a later date. This receipt is null and void if the payment is not fully unpaid at a later date. This receipt is null and void if the payment is not fully
honored at any time. honored at any time.
---- ----
Ray Michalski Dierk Randall
UC Medical Center UC Medical Center
Redding, CA 96049 Redding, CA 96049

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