Understanding the CER Framework in Science

Oct 18, 2024

Lecture on CER Framework in Science Education

Introduction

  • Presenter: Paul Andersen
  • Topic: CER Framework for making scientific explanations
  • Importance: Helps in improving lab write-ups, essays, and exam scores

Overview of Science Education

  • Science involves gathering evidence and forming explanations
  • In classrooms, students often follow teacher-designed labs, leading to limited exploration
  • Emphasis often on investigation rather than explanation

CER Framework

  • Developed by Dr. Kate McNeil and Dr. Joe Krychek
  • Claim, Evidence, Reasoning
  • Sometimes includes Rebuttal

Components of CER:

  1. Claim:
    • Answer to a posed question
  2. Evidence:
    • Empirical data collected through lab work/research
  3. Reasoning:
    • Logical connection between evidence and claim
    • Tip: Base reasoning on scientific definitions, rules, principles

Role of Teachers

  • Teachers should provide a good question and the means to answer it
  • Example: Using skew dice to explore the concept of ‘fairness’
  • Importance of framing questions and defining key terms

Example Science Question

  • "Is air matter?"
    • Define terms: Air, Matter (mass and volume, conservation principle)
    • Gather evidence: Balloon weight increase, air displacing water
    • Claim: Air is matter
    • Reasoning: Connect evidence to scientific principles

Tips for Students

  • Start with evidence gathering
  • Use scientific definitions for reasoning
  • Avoid merely repeating evidence, focus on the connection to the claim

Advanced Application

  • Example: Phase change and energy during boiling water
  • Questions: Understanding energy, phase change, conservation of energy
  • Gather relevant evidence, apply scientific principles in reasoning

Conclusion

  • CER is a structured method for creating explanations
  • Use CER framework for improved scientific communication

Acknowledgements and Suggestions

  • Thanks to Chris Norinsky for the video suggestion
  • Suggestions for future content welcome

Study Tip: Regularly practice forming claims, gathering evidence, and reasoning in your lab work to strengthen your CER skills.