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Where does a tree's mass come from?
Students analyze evidence to evaluate four hypotheses about where a tree’s mass comes from. For example, students analyze Helmont’s classic experiment and evaluate whether his interpretation was supported by his evidence.
Thus, students engage in scientific practices as they learn that trees consist mainly of water and organic molecules and most of the mass of the organic molecules consists of carbon and oxygen atoms that came from carbon dioxide molecules in the air. (NGSS)
The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files and as a Google doc designed for use in distance learning and online instruction. (For additional instructions, see https://serendipstudio.org/exchange/bioactivities/Googledocs, especially item 7.) The Teacher Notes, available in the last two attached files, provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.
Attachment | Size |
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PlantMassFromSHO.docx | 2.11 MB |
PlantMassFromSHO.pdf | 464.65 KB |
PlantMassFromTN.docx | 1.86 MB |
PlantMassFromTN.pdf | 781.31 KB |
Comments
How long did this take
How long did this take people's classes?
Guesstimate of how long it takes
How long this activity will take depends on your students, their prior learning, and whether you give them time to work through the questions (in pairs) before a whole class discussion of the questions (see Teacher Notes). I would guess that this activity will take approximately 30-50 minutes.
Ingrid
2022 revision
I have improved the logical flow of the Student Handout, clarified many of the questions, and added two new figures.
Ingrid
September 2017 revision
The Student Handout has been revised to incorporate more analysis of experimental evidence and to improve logical flow and clarity.
Ingrid
2017 revision
Additional figures and substantially revised questions in the Student Handout will help students better understand the reasoning and the important concepts (including the relevant NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas and Crosscutting Concepts).
2016 revision
These revisions have improved clarity and accuracy.
2014 revision
The questions in the Student Handout have been clarified so students can more readily think through the logical flow of the argument. The revised Teacher Notes have improved suggestions for teaching this activity and enhanced background information and also clarify the alignment of this activity with Next Generation Science Standards.
Biology
Thanks for the help
Revised Version of Student Handout
This revised student handout provides a more complete set of questions to help students evaluate each of the hypotheses concerning where a plant's organic mass comes from. In addition, the wording and logic of the questions has been clarified.
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