Safety boundary
Use supplied datasets and approved simulations. Any physical demonstration must be teacher-supervised and explicitly classroom-safe; no improvised reactive mixtures.
Explicit chemistry instruction
A strong inquiry question identifies the measured response, the variable being changed, and the conditions that must remain controlled.
Competing models should make different predictions that can be tested with the same dataset or simulation.
Write predictions before seeing the result to reduce hindsight bias.
Vocabulary: hypothesis; competing model; independent variable; dependent variable; prediction.
Worked example
Model A predicts rate doubles when concentration doubles; Model B predicts rate quadruples. A controlled concentration series can distinguish them.
Guided question
Write two competing predictions for how rate might depend on concentration.
Independent work
- Define one kinetics question.
- Write two competing models.
- List controls and predicted outcomes.
Misconception check
A hypothesis should predict an observable result, not merely restate the question.
Formative check
What makes competing models scientifically useful?
Reveal response
They make distinguishable predictions that evidence can compare.
Mentor evidence conference
Ask Archaemenes to audit controls, competing predictions, residuals, uncertainty, and whether the conclusion exceeds the evidence.
Teacher guidance
Foundation: Use question-variable frames.
Core: Design a model-discrimination plan.
Extended: Evaluate whether predictions are sufficiently distinct.