The Mystery Light Block Scientific Method Demonstration Kit is an intriguing discrepant event, showing that science is a process of discovery and helping students develop critical-thinking skills. Everyone loves a good mystery.
Everyone loves a mystery! A two-toned rectangular block of paraffin is displayed with the darker half on the bottom. Flip it over—the darker half is still on the bottom! As students make observations, ask questions, make predictions, propose experiments and develop a hypothesis about the paraffin block, they actively use the scientific method to solve the mystery. Intriguing discrepant event demonstration shows that science is a process of discovery and helps students develop critical-thinking skills. Kit includes complete instructions and enough materials to make two reusable Mystery Light Blocks.
Concepts: Scientific method, discrepant events. Time Required: 15 minutes
Specifications
Materials Included in Kit: Aluminum foil, 12" x 12" sheet Paraffin wax, 1 lb box, 4 x 4 oz blocks Pie pan, aluminum, disposable, 10"
Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)†
Science & Engineering Practices
Asking questions and defining problems Constructing explanations and designing solutions Analyzing and interpreting data
Disciplinary Core Ideas
MS-PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter HS-PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
Crosscutting Concepts
Patterns Cause and effect Structure and function Stability and change
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