Discourse and Argumentation

104 Pages·2013·6.54 MB·English

SUMMER 2013 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 9
Discourse and
Argumentation
• The negotiation cycle
• Assessing student
arguments
• Evaluating the strength
of evidence
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EDITOR’S ROUNDTABLE
Nurturing argumentation
Editor
Inez Fugate Liftig
Managing Editor and discourse
Kenneth L. Roberts
Editorial Assistant
Rob McNeely Argument and discourse are central to the work of scientists as well as to
the advancement of science. The practice of engaging in argument from evi-
Consulting Editor
Janna Palliser dence is included in A Framework for K–12 Science Education and the Next
Generation Science Standards to improve students’ critical thinking and rea-
Director, Social Media and e-Messaging
Lauren Jonas soning abilities and to deepen their understanding of science concepts and
the nature of science (NRC 2012, Achieve Inc. 2013).
Art Director
Will Thomas Unfortunately, as Taking Science to School points out, argumentation is
rarely part of our classroom instruction (Duschl, Schweingruber, and Shouse
Senior Graphic Designer
Joseph Butera 2007). While some teachers may not be comfortable departing from traditional
teacher-dominated interactions where straightforward questions are asked
Graphic Designers
Rashad Muhammad seeking expected answers from students, science instruction must change to
Printing & Production Manager conform more closely to the now-established Framework and NGSS.
Catherine Lorrain This issue of Science Scope contains an excellent collection of articles on
Assistant Production Manager the subject of argumentation and discourse that provides specific information
Nguyet Tran to help you begin to implement this essential component of NGSS. Several of
Electronic Prepress Technician the articles also provide information for teachers about setting expectations
Jack Parker and norms in the classroom employment of argumentation and discourse.
Director, Publications Operations I would like to add some observations from years of trial and error with
Rick Bounds implementing student-to-student interactions and argumentation in my own
teaching:
Publisher
David Beacom
• Getting middle school students to understand the difference between sci-
Executive Director
David L. Evans entific argument and “talk,” and everyday argument and “talk” is not easy!
It requires patience and persistence to establish and maintain explicit but
Advertising
Jason Sheldrake nonthreatening discourse guidelines that promote student responsibility,
Director tolerance, and the use of evidence and scientific language.
[email protected]; 703-312-9273
• Since most of your students have had little foundational experience with
argumentation and discourse in the earlier grades, many of them will not
immediately master these skills; but just because they don’t seem to be
Science Scope (ISSN 0887-2376) is published making adequate progress, you should not abandon your efforts, nor
nine times a year (Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec., Jan., allow yourself to revert to the more comfortable, traditional, initiate-re-
Feb., Mar., Apr./May [combined], and July) by
sponse-evaluate format of teacher-student interaction.
the National Science Teachers Association,
1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201- • Stay the course! Teach students the elements of a sound argument and
3000. Individual membership dues are $75 insist that they use them in classroom writing and speaking. Give con-
($50 for publication, $25 for membership).
structive feedback often, design improvement exercises, and always en-
Memberships outside the United States
(except territories), add $15 per year for courage all students, not just the more assertive or vocal, to participate
postage. Single copy price for nonmembers, and become proficient in discourse and argumentation skills.
$10. Periodicals postage paid at Arlington,
• Students must be provided with frequent opportunities to practice argu-
Va., and additional mailing offices. Publica-
tions Mail Agreement no. 41506028. Return mentation and discourse. Do not simply end lab activities and research
undeliverable Canadian addresses to: P.O. Box projects by collecting lab reports to be graded and returned to individual
503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill,
students or by having a regimented, ubiquitous presentation of results:
ON L4B 4R6 Canada. Copyright © 2013 by
the National Science Teachers Association, Reach for wider student learning by requiring students to engage in non-
all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or teacher-mediated, peer-to-peer talk or debate that uses evidence from
part of any article without permission is pro-
their labs or research.
hibited. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to Science Scope, NSTA, 1840 Wilson Blvd.,
Arlington, VA 22201-3000. (continued on page 5)
1
Summer 2013
summer 2013 VOLume 36 NumBer 9 This issue’s focus:
Discourse and Argumentation
n denotes thematic content
NSTA’s peer-reviewed journal
14 Turning the Science Classroom Into
for middle level and junior high a Courtroom: Engaging in Argument
from Evidence
school science teachers
Put Goldilocks on trial to demonstrate the importance of
stating a claim and defending it with supportive evidence.
ON THE COVER Douglas Llewellyn and Amanda Adams
Students love to talk in class,
but channeling their passion for 22 Helping Students Evaluate the Strength
informal communication into the of Evidence in Scientific Arguments:
practice of engaging in argument
Thinking About the Inferential Distance
from evidence can be very
challenging. Learn how you can Between Evidence and Claims
introduce this Next Generation
Examine a predator-prey relationship to remind students to
Science Standards practice with
consider the evidence before making an inference.
the strategies and activities in this
Lauren Brodsky, Andrew Falk, and Kevin Beals
issue of Science Scope.
Cover image by Joe Butera. 29 The Practice of Critical Discourse in
Images provided by ThinkStock.com Science Classrooms
Engage students in science and engineering by providing
opportunities for them to engage in conversation, critical
discourse, and argumentation.
Check us out on Facebook at
Kenneth L. Huff and Rodger W. Bybee
www.nsta.org/sciencescope/
facebook or follow us on
Twitter @NSTA. 35 Crushing Soda Cans: A Novel Way for
Students to Explore Energy
Explore how the potential or kinetic energy of an object affects
the force the object is capable of exerting on another.
Science Scope articles from 2000 to the present are indexed James Concannon, Patrick Brown, Laura Stumpe,
in a searchable archive at www.nsta.org/middleschool. and Elise Bartley
14 22 35
44
This issue’s focus:
Discourse and Argumentation
n denotes thematic content
41 A Negotiation Cycle to Promote Departments
Argumentation in Science
Classrooms
1 Editor’s Roundtable
Cycle through the steps of a strategy for reaching a
n Nurturing argumentation and discourse
classroom consensus through argumentation.
Ying-Chih Chen and Joshua Steenhoek
6 Scope’s Scoops
Science in the news
51 Assessing Students’ Arguments:
How Strong Are Their Justifications?
8 Green Science
Present arguments about whether or not a dam should Environmentally friendly and sustainable science
be built that would affect an indigenous people.
Tiny, but powerful: The nanoscale
Amanda M. Knight and Kris Grymonpré
84 Scope on Safety
60 Show Me the Evidence! Safety information for your classroom
Scientific Argumentation in the Can you hear me now?
Middle School Classroom
Learn how to focus classroom discussions on the validty 88 Scope on the Skies
of evidence-based scientific explanations of phenomena. Astronomy throughout the year
Jennifer C. Mesa, Rose M. Pringle, and Lynda Hayes
Those long summer days
94 NSTA Recommends
65 Let’s Talk Science: Seeding
Argumentation About Reviews of the latest resources
Cells and Growth
100 Mystery Photo
Engage students in a shared discourse about whether or
not a seed is alive. Can you identify this image?
Deena Gould
41 60 65
1840 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201-3000
703-243-7100 FAX: [phone]
[email protected]
www.nsta.org/scope
THE JOURNAL FOR MIDDLE AND The mission of the National Science Teachers
Association is to promote excellence and innovation
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS in science teaching and learning for all.
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Whatcom Day Academy, Bellingham, WA; Jacob Noel-Storr, UVA, Boyce, VA; Research in Science Education: Kathryn
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4
EDITOR’S ROUNDTABLE
(continued from page 1) come confident and comfortable References
taking risks and participating in Duschl, R.A., H.A. Schweingruber,
• In my opinion, you must estab- discourse and argumentation and A.W. Shouse. eds. 2007.
lish a positive learning environ- without fear of ridicule or hu- Taking science to school:
ment in your classroom because miliation from fellow students or Learning and teaching science
it is the most essential aspect from being “shut down” by you, in grades K–8. Washington, DC:
of effecting successful, large- their teacher. National Academies Press.
scale student participation in National Research Council (NRC).
classroom argumentation and If you would like further infor- 2012. A framework for K–12
discourse. From the beginning mation, inspiration, and pedagogi- science education: Practices,
of the school year, work to build cal context about this practice, I crosscutting concepts, and core
caring relationships with your recommend that you read the ideas. Washington, DC: National
students and an atmosphere of argumentation-related sections of Academies Press.
trust, fairness, and emotional the Framework and NGSS, as well as Achieve Inc. 2013. Next generation
safety in your classroom. In such chapters 7 and 9 in Taking Science science standards. www.
a community, students will feel to School. nextgenscience.org/
respected, nurtured, and sup- Inez Liftig next-generation-science-
ported and, over time, will be- Editor, Science Scope standards.
Science Scope 2014 Call for Papers
Below is a list of Science Scope’s upcoming themes for the 2014 calendar year. For more information on specific
themes, please visit www.nsta.org/publications/call-scope.aspx. Don’t see a theme that matches your idea for an
article? Not a problem. Science Scope is always in need of general submissions to round out each issue. Author
guidelines are available at www.nsta.org/publications/journals.aspx#authors. When you are ready to submit your
manuscript, please visit Manuscript Central at http://mc.mansucriptcentral.com/nsta. If you have any questions,
please contact the Editor, Inez Liftig ([email protected]), to discuss your article ideas, or Managing Editor Ken
Roberts ([email protected]) for information on submitting your manuscript.
January April/May October
Using Multiple Modes of Expressions Physical Science Investigations Core Idea Experiences That Pair
to Demonstrate Understanding Submission deadline: “Cause and Effect: Mechanisms and
Submission deadline: August 1, 2013 November 1, 2013 Explanations” With “Constructing
Explanations/Designing Solutions”
February Summer
Submission deadline: May 1, 2014
Using the History of Science Earth’s Place in the Universe
and Engineering to Teach Nature Submission deadline: November
of Science February 1, 2014 Applying Science Knowledge
Submission deadline: and Engineering Design to Solve
September
September 1, 2013 Practical Problems
Assessing Student Progress
Submission deadline: June 1, 2014
March toward the Next Generation
Teaching Core Ideas by Blending Science Standards Learning December
“Systems and Models” With “Developing Progressions Using Medicine and Forensics
and Using Models” Submission deadline: April 1, 2014 with the Next Generation Science
Submission deadline: October 1, 2013 Standards
Submission deadline: July 1, 2014

5
Summer 2013
SCOPE’S SCOOPS
A tongue made for mopping
feeding bats must get a lot of calories quickly
Nectar-feeding bats and busy janitors have at least for it to be worthwhile. It is not known if other
two things in common: They want to wipe up as nectar-feeding bats also have blood-activated
much liquid as they can as fast as they can, and papillae on their similar-looking tongues. Other
they have specific equipment for the job. A study species such as hummingbirds and bees employ
describes the previously undiscovered technol- different rapid means of morphing their tongues
ogy employed by the bat Glossophaga soricina: for improved nectar feeding.Perhaps these highly
a tongue tip that uses blood flow to erect scores evolved designs will inspire future technology.
of little hairlike structures at exactly the right Brown University
time to slurp up extra nectar from within a flower.
Neptune’s
The bat’s “hemodynamic nectar mop,” as the
discovery
paper dubs the tongue tip, features speed and
reliability that industrial designers might envy, commemorated le ra)
BU
Ba
said lead author Cally Harper, a graduate student On May 16, 2013, Nep- HUCi/
at Brown University. As a matter of what nature tune arrived at the same d tHe m (StS
can evolve, she said, the tongue tip is surpris- location in space where it anea
ingTlhy ec lbeavte’rs. cylindrical tongue has a mesh of wyeaasr dsi sacgoov.e Troe dc onmeamrleym 16o5- Sa, eSa, ritage t
ae
muscle fibers that contract so that the tongue rate the event, NASA’s nH
These four images of
becomes thinner but longer (extending farther Hubble Space Telescope
Neptune were taken
into the flower). The same muscle contraction shared “anniversary pic- by NASA’s Hubble
simultaneously squeezes blood into the tiny tures” of the blue-green Space Telescope during
hairlike papillae. As blood is displaced to the giant planet. the planet’s 16-hour
rotation. The snapshots
tongue tip, the papillae flare out perpendicular Neptune is the most
were taken at roughly
to the axis of the tongue. In their erect state, distant major planet in four-hour intervals,
they not only add exposed surface area but also our solar system. German offering a full view of
width, allowing the tongue to function as a highly astronomer Johann Galle the blue-green planet.
effective nectar-gathering device. discovered the planet on
The entire extension and retraction of the September 23, 1846. At the time, the discovery
tongue tip occurs within an eighth of a second. doubled the size of the known solar system. The
Hovering requires a lot of energy, so nectar- planet is 2.8 billion mi. (4.5 billion km) from
the Sun, 30 times farther than Earth. Under the
Sun’s weak pull at that distance, Neptune plods
along in its huge orbit, slowly completing one
revolution approximately every 165 years. The
B/ giant planet experiences seasons just as Earth
a
l
z does, because it is tilted 29 degrees, similar to
t
r
a Earth’s 23-degree tilt. Instead of lasting a few
w
S
d- months, each of Neptune’s seasons continues
r
e
n for about 40 years.
ai
Br In the Hubble images, absorption of red light
e
rper in tHniverSity bptilyna tnmeedet t ihptaisn ndkei sibtnien cNcaetuipvsteeu antqehu’esay a ctaomrleoo rs.rp eThfhleeerc ect ilgnoiguv denss e taahrree-
aU
Cally HBrown ionff trhaere sdo luigthhet.r An fhaeinmti,s dpahrekr bea insd p nroeabra bthlye bcaouttsoemd
The tip of the tongue of Glossophaga soricina, a by a decrease in the hazes in the atmosphere
nectar-feeding bat. The papillae at the tip of the tongue
that scatter blue light.
fill with blood when the bat is feeding, causing them to
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
flare out to create a nectar mop.
6
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GGRREEEENN SSCCIIEENNCCEE
Tiny, but powerful: The nanoscale
by Janna Palliser
M
ost of us have a vague idea of what “nano- rable, more reactive, more sieve-like, or better elec-
technology” is—something to do with the trical conductors. Nanoparticles are already found
manipulation of very, very small things for in thousands of consumer products, including cos-
scientific or medical purposes. Formally, metics, pharmaceuticals, antimicrobial infant toys,
nanotechnology is defined as “the understanding and sports equipment, food packaging, and electronics
control of matter at dimensions between approxi- (Deardorff 2012). Current applications of nanotech-
mately 1 and 100 nanometers (the nanoscale), where nology include the following:
unique phenomena enable novel applications” (NSET
• “nanoscale additives for baseball bats, tennis rack-
and NEHI 2011). Nanotechnology began about 30
ets, motorcycle helmets, automobile bumpers, and
years ago and has expanded greatly in the past decade
luggage to make them lightweight and resilient;
or so. Today, nanomaterials (substances broken down
into molecule-size particles) are used in a wide variety • nanoscale additives on fabrics to help resist wrin-
of products, from sporting equipment and automotive kling, staining, and bacterial growth;
parts to cosmetics, sunscreens, and medical devices
• nanoscale thin films on eyeglasses, computer and
(NNIa; Strom 2013). This month’s column will explore
camera displays, and windows to make them water-
the evolving world of nanotechnology.
repellent, antireflective, antifog, antimicrobial, and
Nanotechnology basics scratch-resistant;
Nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, mod- • nanoscale materials in cosmetic products to pro-
eling, and manipulating matter at the nanoscale. A vide greater coverage, cleansing, and absorption;
nanometer is one billionth of a meter. For comparison,
• nanoscale materials in sunscreens, creams and lo-
a piece of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick
tions, shampoos, and makeup to enhance antioxi-
(NSET and NEHI 2011). Figure 1 provides measure-
dant and antimicrobial properties;
ments of some nanoscale objects.
Nanomaterials have unique physical and chemical • nanocomposites in food containers to minimize
properties (different conductivity, optical sensitiv- carbon dioxide leakage out of carbonated bever-
ity, and reactivity), which originate mainly from their ages, moisture outflow, and the growth of bacteria;
small size, surface structure, chemical composition,
• high-power rechargeable battery systems, thermo-
shape, solubility, and aggregation. Gases, liquids, and
electric materials for temperature control, lower-
solids can exhibit unusual properties at the nanoscale;
rolling-resistance tires, high-efficiency sensors
some can become stronger, other can become better of
and electronics, thin-film solar panels, and fuel ad-
heat and electricity, for example. Other materials may
ditives for cleaner exhaust;
become more chemically reactive, reflect light better,
or change color as their size or structure is changed • faster and more efficient nanoscale transistors;
(NNIa). Various technologies and industries make use
• magnetic random access memory to save encrypted
of these unique properties (EPA).
data during a system shutdown or crash, enable re-
Applications sume play features, and gather vehicle accident data;
With nanotechnology, the essential structure of ma- • displa‐ys for new TVs, laptop computers, cell phones,
terials can be tailored to achieve specific properties. and digital cameras that incorporate nanostructured
Materials can be made stronger, lighter, more du- polymer films to offer brighter images in a flat for-
8