Lecture Notes: Developing Scientific Explanations with CER Framework

Personal Reflection

• Speaker mentions not being skilled in cooking, organizing, and crafts.
• Emphasis on the importance of a growth mindset.
• Improvement noted in video art and audio over years with practice.
• Personal strength identified: Curiosity.

Curiosity in Science

• Curiosity often diminishes with age; however, it remains vital for scientific inquiry.
• Example: Childhood curiosity about turtles in a pond in Texas.

Scientific Inquiry Example

• Observation: Turtles (red-eared sliders) disappear in winter when the pond freezes.
• Question: Where do turtles go during winter? Do they migrate or hibernate?
• Initial Observations:
  • Turtles are seen sunbathing or laying eggs.
  • Concern: Turtles need to breathe air and cannot do so if the pond is frozen.

Science Process and Frameworks

• Nature of Science Video: Discusses non-linear scientific processes and planning investigations.
• Framework Introduced: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER).
  • CER is applicable across subjects, not limited to science.

CER Framework in Detail

• Claim: Statement or conclusion about a problem.
• Evidence: Data collected that supports the claim.
• Reasoning: Explanation of why the evidence supports the claim.

Application Example: Turtle Investigation

• Claim: Red-eared sliders remain in the water and brumate during winter.
• Evidence:
  • Observations of turtles' inactivity in the pond during winter.
  • Peer-reviewed research on red-eared sliders and brumation.
• Reasoning:
  • Observed turtles survive winter in water, aligning with brumation.
  • Scientific papers confirm physiological changes in brumating turtles.

Importance of Source Evaluation

• Emphasis on using factual, peer-reviewed sources for scientific conclusions.
• Avoid unreliable sources like personal websites without scientific backing.

Broader Application of CER

• CER is not limited to biology; applicable in daily life to evaluate claims.
• Encourages critical thinking: Check for evidence and reasoning behind claims.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to apply curiosity and CER framework in various aspects of life.
• Final reminder to "stay curious" from the Amoeba Sisters.