Extra Credit Assignment
Go to the talk or event on a natural science topic and listen or participate.
Write a 1.5 to 2 page, typed paper that answers the following questions:
Did the speaker use the scientific method? If so, how did they use it?
If they didn't use the scientific method, what did they do instead?
In your answer, describe the topic or project, and how the scientific method was used. Support your answer by giving examples from the talk or presentation of why their technique qualifies as the scientific method. If the scientific method wasn't used, please describe what was done and why it doesn't qualify as the scientific method. At the end, please write about what you think of the quality of the whole presentation, regardless of whether or not the scientific method was used.
For more information on the scientific method, please see your book as described in the reading guide, or your notes.
Remember, the question of whether or not the scientific method is used *is not* a question of "good" vs "bad". I've been to many very good, very informative talks where the scientific method was not used. The purpose of the assignment is to encourage the student to recognize the scientific method.
Due within two weeks of the talk or event.
Common venues for extra credit opportunities include the following:
The Monterey Bay Chapter of the American Cetacean Society
Lecture Hall, American Boatworks, Hopkins Marine Lab, Pacific Grove
Located next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and across from the American Tin Cannery Outlet Stores.