Introduction+Week+1+Lesson+Plan

1-11-2010 TA: Lackey
 * __Lab 1: Ecological Question__**

Materials: -Note cards -TA handbook -Course pack -Syllabus


 * Hand note cards to students as they enter the lab; have PPT up with the following info:

1) Name 2) Email address 3) phone number 4) Major/Year 5) Other science courses 6) Allergy/health concerns 7) Favorite animal/plant & why


 * 1) Introduction of me (5 min)**
 * contact info
 * teaching & research background

Any questions??
 * 2) Introduction of course (10 min)**
 * (ask students to get out syllabus, pass *classroom* copies if needed)**
 * office hours
 * you can e-mail simple yes/no questions
 * otherwise, plan to come talk to me – how do I write an introduction, etc.
 * course resources & policies
 * Course Description & Syllabus
 * Course objectives
 * learn how to conduct ecology research (field based)
 * practice the scientific method at all levels from question development to data collection to data analysis to presentation.
 * practice scientific writing
 * This is a very practical lab, so you will be learning lots of useful skills.
 * Useful skills regardless of your career path
 * better communication (oral & written), problem-solving, team work


 * 3) Introduction to peers (introduce each other) (10 min)**
 * As a class, students share names (I check role) and fav animal/plant with reason
 * In groups, students introduce themselves and write working definition of ecology
 * Groups report out
 * There is a file of icebreakers on the TA ANGEL site...Newest addition is trying Speed Dating format! (worked well)


 * 4) Hand in note cards**


 * 5) Intro Ecology & Sci Method (5 min)**
 * Group discussion using PPT
 * 6) Forming groups (10 min)**
 * Now we’ll generate groups for your semester project based on your interests in ecology
 * split class in 2 – animals vs. plants
 * Then students find others with similar interests
 * Find a table at which to sit (groups of 3-4) We have space for 7 groups.
 * Groups introduce themselves and discuss productive group behaviors

You can see that a hypothesis can have multiple predictions. A question can also have multiple hypotheses. Scientists often try to test alternative hypotheses. What are some other potential hypotheses? Problem: Hypothesis and Predictions are circular. Methods do not address the question. What’s a better prediction?
 * 7)** **Developing scientific questions, hypoths, predictions (10 min)**
 * Ladybug example:
 * Poor example:


 * 8) Intro lab activity (5 min)**

10 min walk there, 15 min obs, 10 min walk back
 * 9) Sanford Natural Area (35 min)**

-Walk and talk to fence -Send them off at the fence -Meet back at fence, talk with small groups -Discuss questions, hypotheses and methods with group on walk back


 * 10) Group Question Discussion (10-15 min)**


 * 11) Brainstorm group research question (5 min or more if time)**

- No Labs next week - Complete Angel exercise - Read next lab & Group Project Info - Bring finalized group Q to class.
 * 12) Next Lab (3 min)**