Critical Thinking in Earth Science: Using the Model-

Evidence Link (MEL) Diagram

Missy Holzer, Chatham HSChristine Girtain, Toms River HS South

Janelle Bailey, Temple University

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

{ Let’s try it!

Climate ChangeModel-Evidence-Link (MEL) Diagram

Using the Model-evidence Link Diagram

Evidence Text

Generating Explanations

{ Debrief

Climate Change MEL

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 evaluation Teachers 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 Jenelle Hopkins & 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

{ Let’s try again!Moon MEL

Janelle Bailey, Temple Universityjanelle.bailey@temple.edu

http://sites.temple.edu/MELdiagrams

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 knowledgeClimate Change�Model-Evidence-Link (MEL) DiagramUsing the Model-evidence Link DiagramEvidence TextGenerating ExplanationsClimate Change MELWhy is this important?Why is this important?Using the MELOur Projecthttp://sites.temple.edu/MELdiagramsAcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsMoon MELQuestions?