Data Gathering with PhET
Author: Arlene Vinion Dubiel
Recently, I was able to provide a short workshop for the yourSTEM community talking about two of my favorite things: inquiry-based teaching and learning and PhET simulations. We did not have enough time in the workshop to talk about all of the different PhET simulations that are ideal for gathering data that can be analyzed mathematically. So, that is the purpose of this blog: to identify and share a couple of PhET simulations that are ideal for science-math integration.
Inquiry-based teaching and learning
First, we need a little background on inquiry-based teaching and learning as this strategy is ideal for purposely integrating math and science. When the first National Science Education Standards were released in 1996, the term “inquiry” was used in reference to teaching as “the activities of students in which they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas.” (National Science Education Standards, p. 23). Because of the prevalence of the term “inquiry” in these standards, it became popular and was used to describe many different activities. Over time, the meaning of the term was lost in the sea of instructional activities. “Inquiry” was used to describe any activity that used manipulatives, even if that activity was stacking building blocks or playing with play-dough with little to no emphasis on learning.
As “inquiry” lost its meaning, its popularity waned to where it is now rarely used. So, when we use “inquiry” we must redefine it by going back to the original definition and refine so its meaning will not be lost. Based upon publications, in particular those by Randy Bell and colleagues, and based upon my own experiences as a scientist, inquiry in the context of teaching and learning can be defined as “a strategy where students analyze data to answer a testable question.” The level of inquiry depends upon the information provided to students by the teacher. At the most structured level, the teacher can provide the question, methods of collecting data, and even the data itself. The one thing that cannot be varied to make this instructional strategy meaningful is the requirement that students analyze the data.
Data - the intersection of science and math
All scientific knowledge has been obtained through the practices of science. Much of this data, particularly in the field of physics, is quantitative and analyzed mathematically. Thus, inquiry-based teaching and learning with its requirement to analyze data is arguably the best strategy that can be used to integrate science and mathematics. Quantitative data gathered through an inquiry-based science investigation can be analyzed to identify patterns and to come up with equations that explain the data. Then the equations can be used to predict the patterns of data that are observed experimentally.
It is only in schools that we teach math and science as separate subjects. I recently discussed the M of STEM in a blog post, encouraging readers to look for opportunities to purposely integrate these two subjects. Possible resources were shared for math teachers, that can be used to address science topics in a math classroom. Another blog post shared some PhET simulations that are specific for mathematics and applicable for high school and college level students. With this blog, I expand upon these two ideas by sharing four online PhET simulations that are ideal for gathering numerical data that can be analyzed to discover some basic laws of science.
PhET simulations for data
With over 150 simulations, one can easily get lost searching for what will fit your needs. In addition to the simulations themselves, there are other resources available. Several of the simulations have a drop-down menu “For Teachers.” Here you may find tutorial documents under “Teacher Tips.” There are also resources and lesson plans designed and written by teachers. These are all freely available, although you do need to register and provide an email address to gain access to some of the documents.
One simulation that is ideal for gathering numerical data and analyzing it to determine mathematical relationships is Gas Properties. With this simulation, students can use data to discover the ideal gas law. One teacher resource is a lesson plan by Trish Loeblein, entitled “Gas Properties Gas Laws Quantitative.” The containing documents encourage students to draw the graphs relating pressure (P), volume (V), temperature (T), and number of molecules in moles (n). When the gas constant, R, is applied, students can figure out that PV = nRT.
The Pendulum Lab has some clear opportunities to gather data. Inquiry-based lesson plans by Trish Loeblein encourage students to find the mathematical relationship and to use that data to discover the gravitational constant for Planet X. This particular simulation can address a more complicated mathematical model as the main equation is T = 2π sqrt(L/g) where T is the period or time determined using the photogate timer, L is length of the string, and g is gravity.
Both Ohm’s Law and Resistance in a Wire have the mathematical equation depicting the relationships between variables prominently displayed. The power in these two simulations involving electrical circuits is in looking at the magnitude of the numbers with the different units. Ohm’s law is the simplest looking at voltage (V) as directly proportional to the product of current (I) and resistance (R). Resistance in a wire addresses resistance (R) and its relationship to resistivity (Greek letter rho) and length (L) and area (A) of the wire. The latter simulation has a lesson plan by Elyse Zimmer that encourages students to conduct experiments to answer the question “What factors cause resistance to vary?”
The Diffusion simulation can be used to gather data that is not linear, rather a graph of diffusion at different timepoints approaches an equilibrium. If you want to learn more about this simulation and about inquiry-based teaching and learning, then check out a recording of the workshop in yourSTEM. I encourage you to check out PhET simulations, particularly for integrating science and math.
If you want to integrate science and math, using numerical data to discover mathematical relationships between variables, then check out a couple of PhET simulations.
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