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'I Do, We Do, You Do' Activities

These activities are aligned with the structure laid out in our Pathways tool and our Student Workbooks and encourage peer collaboration and gradual release of learning from teacher to students.

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Step of the Scientific Method Activity
Throughout the Science Project Process
  • Accountability Buddies: Assign each student an 'Accountability Buddy' or 'Accountability Team' of 2-3 students to check in with at the start and end of each task to set goals and review each other's work to give feedback. We recommend using this same group throughout the science project.
1 - Ask a Question
  • Practice Writing Project Questions: Split students into teams of 2-3 and assign each a different Science Buddies project to review as a team. Ask them to write 5 possible project questions that could be answered by the project or its variations.
2 - Background Research
  • Practice Writing Background Research Questions: Split students into teams of 2-3 and assign each the same Science Buddies project to review as a team. Ask them to generate a list of 10 key terms related to the project (encourage them to use the Terms and Concepts section to get them started), and then use those terms and the Question Word Table to generate at least 3 questions for each question word. Have them pick the top 3 most important research questions and compare the questions they came up with to those generated by other teams.
  • Practice Finding Reliable Sources of Information: Split students into teams of 2-3 and assign each the same list of approximately 3-5 resources of mixed reliability. Ask them to work together to assess each resource according to the Resource Checklist. Have teams compare their findings and discuss any differences.
  • Background Research Plan Peer Review: Split students into pairs or small groups (this is a good opportunity to use Accountability Buddies) and have them share their research questions, focusing on the top 3-4 highlighted in yellow. Students will review their peers' questions for clarity, relevance, and depth, offering specific suggestions for improvement. After discussing the feedback, students will revise their questions and highlight any changes.
3 - Construct a Hypothesis
  • Practice Identifying Variables and Writing a Hypothesis: Split students into teams of 2-3 and assign each team a different Science Buddies project to review as a team (consider using the same teams and projects from a previous activity). Ask them to identify the project's independent, dependent, and controlled variables and then write a hypothesis and prediction.
4 - Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment
  • Practice Creating Data Tables: Split students into teams of 2-3 and assign each the same Science Buddies project to review as a team. Ask them to create a data table for the experiment. When they have an initial draft done, have each team share their data table and discuss any differences. Allow time to revise the data tables.
  • Experimentation Preparation Peer Review: Split students into pairs or small groups (this is a good opportunity to use Accountability Buddies) and have them share their materials list, experimental procedure, and data table. Students will review their peers' work using the mastery rubric.
5 - Analyze Your Data & Draw a Conclusion
  • Practice Picking the Right Graph Type and Creating Graphs: Split students into teams of 2-3 and give each team a different sample data set. Ask them to determine what the best type of graph is to share the data, and then have them create the graph either by hand, using a spreadsheet application, or using an online tool like NCES Kids' Zone Create a Graph. Once completed, have each team present their graph to the class, explaining their choice of graph type and how it effectively represents the data. Allow time for class feedback and discussion. Finally, give teams the opportunity to revise their graphs based on the feedback received.
  • Data Chart & Graph Peer Review: Split students into pairs or small groups (this is a good opportunity to use Accountability Buddies) and have them share their data charts and graphs. Students will review their peers' work using the mastery rubric.
  • Conclusion Peer Review: Split students into pairs or small groups (this is a good opportunity to use Accountability Buddies) and have them share their RECERUN Conclusions. Students will review their peers' work using the mastery rubric.
6 - Communicate Your Results
  • Abstract Peer Review: Split students into pairs or small groups (this is a good opportunity to use Accountability Buddies) and have them share their abstracts. Students will review their peers' work using the mastery rubric.
  • Display Board, Poster, or Presentation Peer Review: Split students into pairs or small groups (this is a good opportunity for the use of Accountability Buddies) and have them share their display boards, posters, or presentations. Students will review their peers' work using the mastery rubric.
  • Presentation/Judging Practice: Split students into pairs or small groups (this is a good opportunity to use Accountability Buddies) and have them take turns taking on the role of presenter and judge.

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