Post on 07-Feb-2021
transcript
Critical Thinking in Earth Science: Using the Model-
Evidence Link (MEL) Diagram
Missy Holzer, Chatham HSChristine Girtain, Toms River HS South
Janelle Bailey, Temple University
How do scientists evaluate and judge knowledge that they create
(e.g., hypotheses, theories)?
How do scientists change their judgments?
{ PRT
Plausibility Ranking Task
Why is falsifiability an important scientific principle?
What does falsifiability have to do with connections between evidence and scientific explanations (models, theories, hypothesis, etc.)?
What is the role of contradictory evidence in science?
Evaluating scientific knowledge
{ Let’s try it!
Climate ChangeModel-Evidence-Link (MEL) Diagram
Using the Model-evidence Link Diagram
Evidence Text
Generating Explanations
{ Debrief
Climate Change MEL
Promote students as scientists (Handelsman, et al. 2004; NGSS) by developing their ability to think scientifically
Evaluation is a large component of A Framework for K-12 Science Education (NRC, 2012) and NGSS
Why is this important?
Many student-centered instructional techniques involve critical evaluation Teachers can help students by
considering how evidence supports more than one alternative—this promotes critical thinking!
Why is this important?
Designed to replace another activity that might be less effective
Takes 1-2 typical class periodsNot expected to be complete
curriculum on the topic!
Using the MEL
Developing Critical Evaluation as a Scientific Habit of Mind: Instructional Scaffolds for Secondary Earth Science
Creation and testing of four MELs within high school geoscience courses
Feedback is welcome! Participation in Year 3 of the project…
Our Project
Instructional Materials include: Plausibility Ranking Task (pre-MEL activity) Climate Change Fracking Moon Wetlands
Supporting Materials The Science Teacher article Research articles
http://sites.temple.edu/MELdiagrams
The structure and mode of MEL diagrams were originally developed by researchers at Rutgers University under the NSF-supported PRACCIS (Promoting Reasoning and Conceptual Change in Science) project.
Acknowledgements
Doug Lombardi, Temple University Jenelle Hopkins & Petya Crones, Clark County
School District (NV) Elliot Bickel, Shondricka Burrell, & Tyron Young,
Temple University
The project is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DRL-131605 and is part of NSF’s Discovery Research K-12 (DRK-12) program. Any opinions are those of the authors, not the NSF.
Acknowledgements
{ Let’s try again!Moon MEL
Janelle Bailey, Temple Universityjanelle.bailey@temple.edu
http://sites.temple.edu/MELdiagrams
Questions?
Critical Thinking in Earth Science: Using the Model-Evidence Link (MEL) DiagramHow do scientists evaluate and judge knowledge that they create (e.g., hypotheses, theories)?��How do scientists change their judgments?Plausibility Ranking TaskEvaluating scientific knowledgeClimate Change�Model-Evidence-Link (MEL) DiagramUsing the Model-evidence Link DiagramEvidence TextGenerating ExplanationsClimate Change MELWhy is this important?Why is this important?Using the MELOur Projecthttp://sites.temple.edu/MELdiagramsAcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsMoon MELQuestions?