Standard:05
Objective:0503
ILO's: 1a Make observations and measurements 1d Make predictions , 2b Form and test hypotheses. 2d Collect and record data 2e Analyze data and draw inferences 3d Seek and weigh evidence before drawing conclusions. 5d Explain and predict how parts of a system relate 6d Construct diagrams to describe and summarize data. 7d Distinguish between factual statements and inferences.

Magic Black Box

Summary: Students discover what is in a black box through careful observation, hypothesizing and testing.

Category: Learning Cycle Lesson

Materials, equipment and/or facilities:


Black Box Materials List:
Set up: Arrange funnels and beaker in the box. Put a ball of cotton in each inside funnel and sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of a different color Kool aid on each funnel. Lock the box. Place it in the drippper pan.

Sequence and duration of each part of lesson:
Exploration Phase

  1. Display black box. Let students look at it but not touch it. Have them record everything they can observe.

  2. Ask them to draw what it looks like inside. Their drawings must be supported by their observations.

  3. Tell class that they cannot ever open it . Their task is to help you experiment to determine what is in it.

  4. Each test you do for them must verify or test their drawings. (They may tell you to pour water. If they suggest sand, flour,etc. their drawing should require it. They may want to smell the liquid; they may want to blow gently into the tube, etc.

  5. Continue to test their ideas, each time requiring students to record observed data and modify their drawings according to their recorded data, (Don't tell them, but each drawing is a form of hypothesis.) Also, after almost every test, in a manner that they do not soon detect, rotate the top funnel 90 degrees (so that water poured into it will go a different way.)

Concept Invention Phase
When some students have discovered what the box is like inside or before then, if you must, stop and discuss what has happened. Do not tell them that you rotated the funnel unless they notice.

Have students label drawings, observations, predictions, assumptions, facts, evidence and hypotheses. Teach students what each term is in the context of this activity. Help them understand that each drawing they made was an hypothesis and that it was based on observed data. Also help them know that, though some may have used the term "theory", theories are something entirely different. You may also help them recognize examples of untested assumptions and how these get in the way of our learning.

Have them think of examples of scientific investigations which are similar to their black box investigation (e.g. probing the crust of the earth, learning about the solar system, a doctor "pouring" medicine into us and watching what happens)

Collect the students' lab notes (records of observations, drawings, and conclusions) and score them according to how well they have labeled the terms. Give feedback but don't open the box.

Concept Application
Distribute a miniature black box to each student. Assign students to determine what is in the canister without opening it, keeping a detailed log of everything they do and learn. Give them 15 minutes. Then assign them to use any of the following terms to label every part of their report.

Collect the film canisters and their reports.

Evaluation:
Scoring of student reports should include the following:

Black Box Diagram
Copyright 1996. Utah State Office of Education, Curriculum Section, 250 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111.
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