Claim, Evidence, Reasoning in Science
A Grade 12 science worksheet focusing on developing and evaluating scientific claims, evidence, and reasoning.
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Claim, Evidence, Reasoning in Science
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Read each scenario carefully. For each question, identify the Claim, provide relevant Evidence, and explain your Reasoning.
Remember:
Claim: A statement or conclusion that answers the original question/problem.
Evidence: Scientific data that supports the claim. This can be qualitative or quantitative observations, data from experiments, or facts.
Reasoning: The explanation of why the evidence supports the claim. It connects the evidence back to the claim using scientific principles.
Scenario: A scientist is investigating the effect of different light colors on plant growth. She grows three identical plants: Plant A under red light, Plant B under blue light, and Plant C under green light. After two weeks, she observes that Plant A is significantly taller and has more leaves than Plant B and Plant C. Plant B shows moderate growth, while Plant C shows very little growth.
1. Based on the scenario, what claim can be made about the effect of light color on plant growth?
2. What evidence from the scenario supports your claim?
3. Explain the reasoning that links your evidence to your claim, using scientific principles about photosynthesis.
Scenario: A town experiences an increase in gastrointestinal illnesses. Residents primarily get their drinking water from a local river. A team of environmental scientists tests water samples from various points along the river. They find high levels of E. coli bacteria downstream from a cattle farm. Upstream samples show normal E. coli levels.
4. Which of the following is the most appropriate claim regarding the source of water contamination?
The gastrointestinal illnesses are caused by a virus spreading through the town.
The cattle farm is contributing to the E. coli contamination in the river.
The residents are not properly treating their drinking water.
The E. coli levels are naturally high in all rivers.
5. Provide evidence from the scenario to support the claim you selected in question 4.
6. Explain the reasoning that connects your evidence to the claim, considering what you know about E. coli and its sources.
Consider the following claim: 'All mutations are harmful to an organism.'
7. Is this claim True or False?
True
False
8. Justify your answer to question 7 with evidence and reasoning. If false, provide an example of a mutation that is not harmful (or is beneficial).