A Whale of a Problem

Created By:

Amy Taylor

Hazelwood Central High School

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Teacher’s Page

• Grade Level: 10

• MAP Content Standards:– The learner will be able to talk about the

scientific, technological, and political parts of the scientific challenges to society, and explain how they impact the creation of public policy.

– The learner will be able to comprehend that humans have a large impact on other species, the environment, and technology.

• MAP Content Standards, cont…– The learner will be able to interpret the possible

impact of technological solutions on people or the environment.

– The learner will be able to judge the possible impact of technological solutions on people or the environment.

• Tips for Classroom Use:– Preview the activity before using it with your

class.

• Journaling:– This activity is intended to be used in

conjunction with journaling.– The notebook icon will prompt the students

when to journal in their notebooks.

Focus on the process of problem-solving with your

students…they need to understand not only the facts,

but the reasoning behind them. Have them write their thoughts on paper and then

discuss them as a class

A Whale of a Problem• Here’s the situation:

– A dead whale has washed up onto a popular local beach.

– It weighs approximately 8 tons.

– It is approximately 45 feet long.

It is your job to solve the problem:

What do you do with a dead whale?

• Use the scientific method to help you make the most logical choice…

• What are the steps involved when using the scientific method to solve a problem?

Check Your Answer!• STEP 1: State the problem.

• STEP 2: Make observations and gather background information.

• STEP 3: Form a hypothesis.

• STEP 4: Design an experiment to test your hypothesis.

• STEP 5: Run a controlled test.

• STEP 6: Analyze your data.

• STEP 7: State your conclusions.

There are many different interpretations to the steps involved in the scientific

method. Perhaps you have been exposed to a model that has either

more or fewer steps than these…but they all involve the same principle.

THERE IS A LOGICAL WAY TO APPROACH PROBLEM-

SOLVING.

• Pinpoint the problem you wish to solve.

• Research the situation.• Design a logical and controlled way

to solve the problem.

This technique is not limited to laboratory situations…

IT CAN BE USED EVERYDAY.

In your journal...• Define the problem that you need to solve.

• Record your observations…describe all important factors that are involved with the situation.

• Brainstorm at least 3 options that would help you solve the problem.

• Develop 5 questions that you need to have answered to determine the best way to solve the problem.

• Form your hypothesis.

Discuss your ideas as a class.

During your discussion, be sure to…

• Make sure that all the relevant factors concerning the dead whale and the community are discussed (odor, sanitation, affect on tourism & businesses, etc.)

• Discuss all of the research that would need to be done…what do you want to know and what sources would you seek to find that information?

• Discuss all of the possible options.• Be sure your hypotheses address the problem at

hand and how YOU will solve it. (“If there is a dead whale, then it will stink,” IS NOT A GOOD HYPOTHESIS.)

This situation was very real for the town of Florence, Oregon

not long ago. Watch a local news broadcast that covered the

story and see how this town chose to deal with this

WHALE of a problem.

What do you think?

• Describe the actual event that you just witnessed.

• What can be learned from this?

Discuss your answers with your class.