Scientific Method Scent Work Dogs

Next Generation Science Standards

• 6-8.1– Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts. (MS-LS1-3)
• 6-8.1– Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts. (MS-LS1-3)
• MS-LS2-5 There are systematic processes for evaluating solutions with respect to how well they meet the criteria and constraints of a problem.
• MS-LS1-6: Science knowledge is based upon logical connections between evidence and explanations.
• MS-LS2-4: Science disciplines share common rules of obtaining and evaluating empirical evidence.

 

Grade Levels

6-8

 

Materials Needed

Cards with the steps of the Scientific Method written on them

Youtube video review of scientific method

AKC Gazette copy of American Osteopathic Association’s summary of Journal Article (student-friendly version) (see below)

Original Journal Article (see below)

Answer Sheet

 

Lesson Plan

Review

• Review the scientific method.
• For a review of the scientific method, show students this youtube video.
• Divide students into groups of four.
• Give students copies of the cards with the 8 steps of the scientific method, cut apart and shuffled. Printable cards
• When you say go, groups race to put the cards in the correct order.
• When groups are done, have students share with the class the order they put the cards in and discuss their reasoning.

 

Teacher Modeling/Explicit Instruction

• Ask students to give specific examples for each step of the scientific method from the video.
• Remind students that the hypothesis must be able to be measured in some way, and that the experiment must be repeatable in order to be accepted as confirming the hypothesis.

 

 

Independent/Group Work

• Students work in groups to read the gazette article and find examples for each step of the scientific method.
• Students write the example for each step on the back of the card it exemplifies.

Conclusion

• Students share what they found. (See Answer Sheet.)
• List as a whole class further questions students have about the experiment and any conclusions that were drawn.

 

Extension

• Students read all or part of the original journal article to find connections to the scientific method.
• Students design an experiment to further test the hypothesis that dogs can sniff cancer in humans.

 

Resources

 

AKC Gazette. (July 2019) American Osteopathic Association. Beagles 97% Accurate Cancer Sniffers. Retrieved from http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/fd2cdc2e?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20190715_Gazette_July&utm_term=Gazette%20Send%20List#/fd2cdc2e/6

 

MooMoo Math and Science. (2016 August 7). Scientific Method-Middle School Science. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/BllRokI5Bd4

 

Heather Junqueira, CVT; Thomas A. Quinn, DO; Roger Biringer, PhD; Mohamed Hussein, DVM, PhD; Courtney Smeriglio, OMS II; Luisa Barrueto, OMS II; Jordan Finizio, OMS II; Xi Ying “Michelle” Huang, OMS II. Accuracy of Canine Scent Detection of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer in Blood Serum.  The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, July 2019, Vol. 119, 413-418.  Retrieved from https://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2736410