Myth Buster Investigation
An Introduction to
Inquiry Learning
Task: For the course of the next few days, you will become a MYTH BUSTER!! You and your group members will be choosing a myth to investigate, deciding how to test it, and determine if it is plausible, confirmed, or busted. Be sure to check out the rubric at the end of this packet to see how you will be graded. Keep that rubric handy throughout the process so you can get the highest grade possible. Good luck and have fun!
Pick a Myth/Observe
Do a little research on myths or maybe you already have a myth you always wanted to bust or confirm. Or maybe you would like to propose a new myth you just came up with by making observations of your surroundings. No matter how you pick your myth, don’t spend too much time here. Check with me before you make your decision so I can determine if your myth is of appropriate complexity and can be tested safely before you go on. You should find a myth within 5 -10 minutes. Find a myth quickly and go with it!
Ask Some Questions
Talk with your group members about the myth you have chosen. Generate a list of questions about the myth that you would like to have answered. There are no silly questions. List all the questions you can come up with in about 7 minutes. Be sure you write them legibly because you need to turn them in for me to read. Then, as a group, go through the list and pick a question that you would like to investigate. Be sure it can be tested. If it is a question that can’t be tested, slightly change it to make it something you can test. If you are having trouble with this part, let me know. I’ll point you in the right direction.
Come up with a Hypothesis or Prediction
From any prior knowledge you may have in your head, come up with a hypothesis (a possible explanation as to why something happens) or a prediction (based on patterns previously seen in similar situations) regarding the tests you will be performing to answer your question. It’s okay if your hypothesis or prediction is not completely correct!! That is why you are going to do the testing!! But your hypothesis should be reasonable and if I ask your group, you need to tell me why you think it is an accurate prediction or hypothesis. This should take no more than 10 minutes.
Planning and Investigating
Okay! You know what you want to test, but how are you going to test it? Talk with your group and decide how you are going to test your question. Come up with a step-by-step procedure that can be used by others to get the same results you do. Keep in mind that you will need to complete your testing within a 60 minute period of time. Be sure to be specific in regards to amounts of anything used, units and instruments used to measure, etc. Remember, if I do not have the materials you need to perform the testing, you will need to supply them yourselves. Also, AT ALL TIMES, consider the SAFETY of your procedure. I will not allow you to perform any testing that could potentially cause harm to you or anyone else. Also include some time of data table on which you will be recording your data. Try very hard to take only about 30 minutes to complete this portion of the task. Once you think you are finished, see me. I will review your procedure, make comments and suggestions, and give approval of your procedure. You MAY NOT begin testing until I approve your procedure!! Once you start testing you may want to take some photos or video of your testing process for your presentation to the class.
Interpreting
Now that you are done testing and your data table is complete, talk about your results with your group members. This portion should take 15-20 minutes. What do your results mean? Identify any patterns or trends you observed and what conclusions can you make from these results. Generate further questions you would like to have answered (See me if there still is time. You may be able to test an additional question if time allows.)
Communicating
Now it is time to let the world (or at least your class) know whether your myth is plausible, confirmed or busted. To do this, you will create a short I-movie, s’more, prezi, or keynote presentation to communicate your results. If you want to use any other method of presentation, ask me first for approval. You presentation should be about 4-5 minutes long. It should include details on your myth, your hypothesis or prediction of the outcome, what you tested, how you tested it, the results you got, and whether your myth is plausible, confirmed, or busted. Be as much like Jamie and Adam (the guys on Myth Busters) as you can. Be original, creative, and humorous in your presentation. I’m expecting you to be able to pull this presentation together in about 35-45 minutes.
Teamwork
My expectation is that everyone equally participates in this project. Everyone should treat group members with respect at all times. All ideas should be heard and considered. I will be watching your group interactions and scoring accordingly as shown on rubric. If necessary, I will give individual grades to this portion of the rubric. Not all group members will be punished for the actions (or lack of action) of other group members. In extreme cases, a group member can be removed from the group and given a written assignment. This will only happen if resolution to team issues does not happen in a reasonable time frame.
Myth Buster’s Rubric
Process Skill / Expectations / Possible Points / Points Earned / CommentsObservation/
Picking Myth / Observations or research on Myths was done with considerable thought and in the allotted time frame / 5
Questioning / A considerable amount of thoughtful questions were generated during the allotted timeframe.
Questions could be tested or revised into questions that can be tested. / 10
Hypothesizing or Predicting / Hypothesis or Prediction is reasonable
Hypothesis or prediction can be supported by prior knowledge / 5
Planning and Investigating / Procedure is well thought out and detailed
Testing was performed safely, and as precisely as possible with available materials
Investigation was performed safely and as precisely as possible with available materials / 20
Interpreting / Conclusions made were reasonable based on data obtained from the testing.
All evidence was used in making conclusions / 10
Communicating / Presentation showed effort and was professional
Good presentation skills were used
Presentation included all required information / 25
Teamwork / All group members were treated with respect
Everyone’s ideas were heard and considered
All group members did an equal amount of work
This score can be on an individual basis. / 25
Total / 100
Testable Question Ideas for Myth Buster Projects
Does buttered bread always fall onto the buttered side?
Does organic produce taste better than traditional produce?
Does the type of liquid affect how fast an ice cube melts?
Does changing the temperature of water affect the buoyancy of an egg?
Does the amount of Mentos (white candy) affect the height of the pop explosion?
Does the type of wood affect how long it burns?
Does the flavor of ice cream affect how fast the ice cream melts?
Does changing the height of a ramp affect how far a car will travel?
Does the type of liquid affect how fast ice will melt?
Does the type of shoe worn during a 20 yard dash affect the speed in which you can run?
Does changing the size of a paper airplane affect how far it flies?
How does the type of liquid affect how much a penny will corrode in 5 minutes?
How does changing the amount of baking soda and vinegar affect the height of an explosion? (careful to change only one: baking soda or vinegar)
Does changing the type of liquid affect how quickly a nail will corrode (rust)?
Does surface temperature of a glass affect fingerprints?
What effect does temperature have on the strength of different types of magnets?
On which surface can a snail move the fastest-dirt, cement, or grass?
Do mint leaves repel ants, worms, or other insects?
Which antacid is the most effective in neutralizing an acid?
What materials provide the best insulation?
Through what material does sound travel the best?
What material is the best to keep heat in?
Does temperature affect the life of a battery?
What material filters oily water the best?
Will more air inside a basketball make it bounce higher?
Does an earthworm react to light, partial shade, or darkness?
Do ants prefer artificial sweeteners, natural sugar, or hard candy?
How does the temperature of a tennis ball affect the height of its bounce?
How does the air pressure of a soccer ball affect how far it travels when kicked?
Which increases your heart rate more: walking up and down real stairs or using a stair-master?
How will adding different flavors of Kool-Aid to water affect the water's boiling point?
Does the flavor of gelatin affect the amount of time it takes to set?
Given the same amount of water, how does pot size affect the amount of time it takes to boil?
How does a light bulb’s wattage affect the amount of heat detected above a light?
Which can support more weight: paper or plastic grocery bags?
Does the color of a shirt affect the amount of heat it absorbs?
Which stays fresher longer: organic or non-organic fruit?
Can people use their sense of hearing alone to tell apart a penny, nickel, dime, and quarter?
Can blindfolded people tell the difference between bottled water and tap water?
Which kind of gum keeps its flavor longer: sugar free or regular?
What is the effect of salt on the boiling temperature of water?
How does talking on a cell phone or listening to music affect reaction time?
How does temperature affect a magnet?