Agriscience Fair Lesson 4 – Constructing Your Hypothesis
“Constructing Your Hypothesis” is part of an FFA agriscience research lesson series that guides students through the agriscience research process in alignment with the National FFA Agriscience Fair award area. Through a hands-on “Bubble Gum Lab” and a video-based worksheet, students learn how to write a well-constructed hypothesis and then develop one for their own agriscience research project.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Identify how to develop a well-written hypothesis.
- Develop a hypothesis for their agriscience research project.
- Time required
- 60 minutes (Time requirements will vary based upon student understanding and class schedule.)
- Grade level
- Grades 9 and 10
- Materials
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- A copy of the "To Chew or Not to Chew" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "What Is a Hypothesis?" worksheet for each student
- bubble gum – one piece for each group
- sugar-free gum – one piece for each group
- Digital scale
- Timer
- Internet access to play the video in real time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time
- Resources/References
- Video: "Six Steps to Formulate a STRONG Hypothesis," https://youtu.be/PCgLjDDD4ek; Document: Agriscience Fair Manuscript Examples, https://ffa.box.com/s/iut6a675rfpd9gq7xupnxvw113pseqdb; Template: Agriscience Fair Written Report Template, https://ffa.box.com/s/2egran7ktpntyot680scgn3a3fhjy5ul
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- Science; English/Language Arts; Take measurements using a scale; Set up an experiment including the title, purpose, hypothesis, materials, methods and data; Write a hypothesis for a research study.
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
- Communication; Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Flexibility and Adaptability; Initiative and Self-direction; Leadership and Responsibility; Think Creatively
- Created
- 06/2021 by the National FFA Organization
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
- CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
- CRP.06Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
- CRP.07Employ valid and reliable research strategies. Career-ready individuals are discerning in accepting and using new information to make decisions, change practices or inform strategies.
- CRP.08Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise effective plans to solve the problem.
Common Core – Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects: Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9.10.7Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9.10.4Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Common Core – Science & Technical Subjects
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.7Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
FFA Precept
- FFA.PG-I.Professional GrowthAssume responsibility for attaining and improving upon the skills needed for career success.
- FFA.PG-J.Mental GrowthEmbrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
- FFA.PL-A.ActionAssume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
- FFA.PL-C.VisionVisualize the future and how to get there.
- FFA.PL-E.AwarenessUnderstand personal vision, mission and goals.
- FFA.PL-F.Continuous ImprovementAccept responsibility for learning and personal growth.
FFA Precepts
- FFA.CS-N.Decision MakingAnalyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.