Eighth Grade Science Week 2 Page 3 of 4

Discover (stage 2 of 3)

High quality questioning is the most powerful tool a scientist can have. How can you tell if your questions are high quality and if they will be a powerful scientific tool?

Directions:
Step 1- Watch this video to see some examples of what makes a question one good for science

Click to see Text Version

Step 2: Compare the question list you just made in the explore. Cross off any of the questions on your list which are good questions, just not good for science.

Step 3: Classify your remaining questions ( if you don’t have any more go back to explore again and try to write at least one good scientific question.

There are two main types of questions

Short answer questions also called Closed questions
Extended answer questions also called Open Ended questions

Step 4: Watch this video. Listen closely can you tell who is asking closed questions and who is asking open questions.

Amy is asking closed questions, because Ryan can answer with just a yes or no in many cases. Ryan is asking open questions because Amy's answers in sentences and explanations.

Step 5: In your notebook write down your list of questions and label each with a “C” for closed-ended or “O” for open-ended.
• Closed-ended: can be answered with “yes” or “no” or with one word.
• Open-ended: requires an explanation and cannot be answered with "yes”, “no”, or one word.

Step 6: Practice revising your questions- change one question on your list from closed to open, and one from open to closed.

For example: “Does the weather matter?” becomes “How does the weather matter?”
or “What is…” becomes “What if…”

Step 7: Review your list of questions using table below. How would each of your questions score?

Quality Questions Score Table
Score	Descriptions
Above and Beyond	Open ended questions that ask for how exact elements in the situation could have a cause and effect connection.
On Track	Open ended questions that include some specifics about the situation.
Getting Closer	Closed questions such as did, does, what is.. Could be "Googled" or answered in very few words. Such as yes or no.
Getting Started	Questions showing curiosity, but not scientific in nature. Such as asking for opinions or subjective such as asking for the "best".
Finding Courage	Thinking of questions, but not yet writing any down.

Discover Stage Complete- Good Job! Move on to the Share to see what questions your classmates are asking and/or share hear what others think of your questions.

Additional Ways to Discover

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