Science Concept Questions for Investigations

In my science classroom we pause often during our investigations to discuss some basic concept questions.  There is always many questions that I want my students to reflect on and answer so I often create a simple PowerPoint presentation with these questions.  These basic concept questions I often don't include but try to ask throughout or following an investigation.  To help me ensure that I ask these concept questions I've decided to write them down on some jumbo popsicle sticks.  

Science Concept Questions:

• What safe practices and safety equipment will need to be/were used in this investigation?
• What is the variable?  What elements of the investigation need to remain constant?  Why?
• What is/was the question being investigated?
• What is/was being measured to determined the outcome?
• What tools will be/were used for measurement?
• What equipment and technology might be/was used?  Why were those pieces chosen?
• How will you/did you collect and record your data?
• What can we do to increase the reliability of these results?
• How is combining each groups' data similar to repeating the investigation?  How does this help make our conclusion valid?
• How can we/did we communicate our conclusion?  

I plan to place these concept question sticks in a cup and having students draw one to answer.  These would work well during think-pair-share time.  Also, if you have many table groups (like I do) each group could draw a stick and report their answer to the class collectively.

Happy August everyone!  The countdown is on and slight panic is setting in!

• 11 days until my birthday
• 20 days until I'm officially back at work 
• 22 days until Meet the Teacher Night
• 26 days until the first day of school
• 29 days until some Fightin' Texas Aggie Football!