Scientific Process Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Before the Movie:

What comes to mind when you hear the term “scientific process”?   (Tap prior knowledge)

During the Movie (Pause Points):

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 1:29: What is the difference between the scientific method and the scientific process? (Compare/contrast)

Timecode 3:07: How did Alvarez’s observation lead to a hypothesis about the dinosaurs’ extinction? (Make connections)

Timecode 6:46: How would you describe the attitude of the scientific community to Alvarez’s published results? (Draw conclusions)

After the Movie:

Look at the four related movies at the bottom of the page. Explain how each is connected to the Scientific Process topic. (Make connections)

Why is it important for scientists to “verify” each others’ work? (Draw conclusions)

What are some examples of using the scientific process in everyday life?  (Reflect)

BrainPOP recommends reading  the movie description that appears on the Scientific Process Topic Page to your class. Then show the movie once through without pausing.  Watch it again, this time using the discussion prompts.

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards