Critical Thinking in Earth Science: Using the Model-

Evidence Link (MEL) Diagram

Jenelle Hopkins, Centennial HSLas Vegas, NV

How do scientists evaluate and judge knowledge that they create

(e.g., hypotheses, theories)?

How do scientists change their judgments?

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Plausibility Ranking Task

Why is falsifiability an important scientific principle?

What does falsifiability have to do with connections between evidence and scientific explanations (models, theories, hypothesis, etc.)?

What is the role of contradictory evidence in science?

Evaluating scientific knowledge

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WetlandsModel-Evidence-Link (MEL) Diagram

Using the Model-evidence Link Diagram

Evidence Text

Generating Explanations

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Promote students as scientists (Handelsman, et al. 2004; NGSS) by developing their ability to think scientifically

Evaluation is a large component of A Framework for K-12 Science Education (NRC, 2012) and NGSS

Why is this important?

Many student-centered instructional techniques involve critical evaluationTeachers can help students by

considering how evidence supports more than one alternative—this promotes critical thinking!

Why is this important?

Designed to replace another activity that might be less effective

Takes 1-2 typical class periodsNot expected to be complete

curriculum on the topic!

Using the MEL

Developing Critical Evaluation as a Scientific Habit of Mind: Instructional Scaffolds for Secondary Earth Science

Creation and testing of four MELs within high school geoscience courses

Feedback is welcome!Participation in Year 3 of the project…

Our Project

Instructional Materials include: Plausibility Ranking Task (pre-MEL activity) Climate Change Fracking Moon Wetlands

Supporting Materials The Science Teacher article Research articles

http://sites.temple.edu/MELdiagrams

The structure and mode of MEL diagrams were originally developed by researchers at Rutgers University under the NSF-supported PRACCIS (Promoting Reasoning and Conceptual Change in Science) project.

Acknowledgements

Doug Lombardi, Temple University Janelle Bailey, Temple University Missy Holzer, Chatham HS Christine Girtain, Toms River HS South Petya Crones, Clark County School District (NV)

Elliot Bickel, Shondricka Burrell, & Tyron Young, Temple University

The project is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DRL-131605 and is part of NSF’s Discovery Research K-12 (DRK-12) program. Any opinions are those of the authors, not the NSF.

Acknowledgements

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Moon MELClimate MELFracking MEL

http://sites.temple.edu/MELdiagrams

http://sites.temple.edu/MELdiagrams

Jenelle Hopkinsjhopkins@interact.ccsd.net

Questions?

Critical Thinking in Earth Science: Using the Model-Evidence Link (MEL) DiagramHow do scientists evaluate and judge knowledge that they create (e.g., hypotheses, theories)?��How do scientists change their judgments?Plausibility Ranking TaskEvaluating scientific knowledgeWetlands�Model-Evidence-Link (MEL) DiagramUsing the Model-evidence Link DiagramEvidence TextGenerating ExplanationsWetland MELWhy is this important?Why is this important?Using the MELOur Projecthttp://sites.temple.edu/MELdiagramsAcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsMoon MEL�Climate MEL�Fracking MELQuestions?