A Mini-Lesson

The Checks Lab

Original version for ENSI '92 by
Steve Randak

This Version by Judy Loundagin

Nature of Science

 SYNOPSIS

 CONCEPTS

1. Scientific knowledge is uncertain, tentative and subject to revision.

2. Scientific explanations and interpretations can neither be proven nor disproven with certainty.

3. Scientists use a variety of criteria to compare explanations and select the better ones.

4. Human values deeply influence science (its terminology, the questions asked, and the criteria used for choosing among theories).

5. Scientists can study events of the past for which there are no witnesses available, by proposing plausible explanations, then testing those ideas by looking for clues expected due to a proposed explanation.

 MATERIALS

1. A series of checks in an envelope (1 envelope per team)
TO DOWNLOAD THE CHECKS (Three sets: A, B, and C), scroll down to the "TEACHING STRATEGY" section (below), then to the HIGH RESOLUTION CHECKS.

The following items are PDF files, and can be downloaded by clicking on its title; to return here, press the "Back" button on your browser:

2. Student Information Sheet (Optional. Usually works better if teacher calls for all teams to  “Pull X checks.” – all about the same time, so all teams are about together.)

3. Student Worksheet (one for each student)

4. Teacher Notes

5. Overhead Instructions (2nd version: says "...pull 3 checks...")

 STUDENT HANDOUTS

1. A series of checks in an envelope (1 envelope per team)

2. (optional) Student Information Sheet for each team

3. (optional) Worksheet for tentative hypotheses and questions to answer.

TEACHING STRATEGY

1. Because this lesson provides an excellent opportunity to understand important elements of the Nature of Science , be sure to read our General Background Information, with our Rationale and our Approach, and tips for Presenting the lessons for maximum effect and Dispelling some of the popular myths about science.

2. Sample Scenario That Focuses on How This Lesson Models the Approach to "Historical" Sciences: See excellent article by Dr. Laura Henriques "Theoretically Speaking. "The Checks Lab is one of the few interactive lessons (along with various forensic lessons) that illustrates how science deals with problems of the past, events not experienced by available witnesses (sometimes called "historical" sciences, like astronomy, geology, paleontology and evolution science), nor open to repetition.  This is in striking contrast to most investigative experiences found in textbooks and adhering to an overemphasis on "The Scientific Method," giving the impression that that is the only way science is done.  Be sure to provide your students with this information while doing the Checks Lab (since this important process of science is usually ignored in textbooks).

3. TIMING: This lesson is best used in your Nature of Science unit, preferably at the beginning of your course. If you used something else to convey the concepts listed above, then this lesson could be done later in the year as a little "something different" break, to reinforce those concepts.

4. MATERIALS PREP: All materials are available in PDF format. Just click on the appropriate items in bold print below to reach the PDF pages; press the "Back" button on your browser to return to this lesson page.

HIGH RESOLUTION CHECKS

We have TWO VERSIONS of this activity available here. Judy Loundagin's version is the most complete and structured: (see in Materials Section (above) for Teacher and Students) and TWO SETS OF CHECKS(which you can use in alternate periods). NOTE: that Set A has check numbers,providing an extra clue that might make it easier to figure out sequence of events...:

SET A: 16 checks: 4 checks/sheet; WITH check numbers
note that the printed instructions say "...pull 4 checks..."

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

SET B: 16 checks: 4 checks/sheet; NO check numbers;
note that the printed instructions say "...pull 4 checks..."

A SECOND VERSION, (developed by Leslie Hays and Paul Loozen), using Overhead, and ONE SET OF CHECKS (Set C):
SET C: 17 checks on 3 sheets; NO check numbers
Note: the overhead instructions for this version say "... pull 3 checks...".

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3

PREPARATION:
1. Download and print enough copies of the checks so you will have one set of 16 (or 17) different checks for each team (of 3-4). Cut them apart and put each set (randomly mixed) into an envelope. The entire collection of envelopes can be re-used in each subsequent period, or, if you desire, you can use different sets of checks for each period:
(Set A, Set B, Set C), each in their own collection of envelopes.

2. Run off copies of the Student Information Sheet (Introduction and Directions) and the Worksheet, if desired. You could use one copy of each for each team, or for each student.

This entire lab can be done easily using oral instructions, but the structured material may be the way to go if this is your first experience with this material, especially with the questions used.

3. Follow the Procedure with the Teacher Notes. Item 7 is most vital. Be sure to allow ample time for the discussion. As for the number of checks to draw each time (3-4), use your judgment; try 3 in one period, 4 in another; then do whichever works best.

4. Be sure to point out that this lesson models an important and effective process of science that is NOT experimental - does NOT follow the "Scientific Method" (see item #2 above, under "TEACHING STRATEGY").

5. It shouldn't go unnoticed that some of the checks bring a biological slant to this experience, with checks written to hospitals, mortuaries, AIDS funds, and drunk driving concerns. This makes this one of the few nature-of-science lessons with a biological relevance (a bit of a stretch, but noteworthy)!

EXTENSIONS AND VARIATIONS:
1. As suggested, after doing this lesson, you could take a closer look at the criteria scientists use to determine the "best" answers to their questions. Click on "Fair Tests: Basic Model for Critical Thinking; How Do Scientists Pick the Best Explanations?", and TRY it!

2. A second activity is built around a structured comparison of the relative strengths of different scientific ideas (theories). Click on "Is Evolution Weak Science, Good Science, or Great Science?", and TRY it!

3. A similar lesson to this Checks Lab is The Great Fossil Find, already on this site. It could be used instead of the Checks Lab, or in addition to it (at a later date, as reinforcement of the concepts, in an appropriate context). The Laetoli Trackway Puzzle lesson also provides an engaging experience, analyzing 3.4 million year old footprints of "Lucy's species.

4. There are many elements of science in crime scene investigations (CSI), or forensic science, and, as in the Checks Lab, there are many ways to incorporate this exciting field in your Nature of Science efforts. Two lessons on our site that do this well are the Crime Scene Scenario, and Crime Against Plants. Try it. And an excellent online resource for all sorts of ideas and materials can be found on Reddy's Forensic Page: "Forensic Science for High School Students."

5. A nice alternative activity can utilize a sampling of the same set of checks used in this lesson in an interactive online mode on the PBS-Evolution site: "The Check Mystery".

6. MYSTERY BOXES: Try this other excellent and very popular lesson which, as presented here, embodies many of the same elements as the Checks Lab. Makes a good alternative to the Checks Lab.

 ATTRIBUTION

Some of the ideas in this lesson may have been adapted from earlier, unacknowledged sources without our knowledge. If the reader believes this to be the case, please let us know, and appropriate corrections will be made. Thanks.

1. Original Source: a Social Studies activity source unknown)
2. Adaptation to ENSI version by Steve Randak ( for ENSI '92)
3. Revised version: Leslie Hays & Paul Loozen, for '93 SENSI (set C)
4. Revised version: Judy Loundagin, Oct. '96 (sets A & B)

5. Preliminary approval for ENSIweb by: M. Nickels, C. Nelson, J. Beard: 12/15/97

6. Edited / Revised for ENSIweb by L. Flammer 2/2000
7. Re-edit (removed Low Res checks): Flammer 3/ 2012