Sixth-Grade Scientists Bite Into Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER)

Berlin Middle School Science teacher Mr. Scannell conducted one of his favorite labs to start off the school year, challenging sixth-grade science students to evaluate the marketing claim of a Double-Stuff Oreo cookie.

Mr. Scannell likes to use this lab because it helps the sixth-grade scientists dive into Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER), a way to make a complete scientific explanation by stating a claim, supporting it with relevant evidence, and providing reasoning.

In the Oreo Lab, Mr. Scannell explained, CER involves stating a claim (Nabisco says Double-Stuff have double the amount of stuff), gathering evidence (each student tests 3 double-stuff and 3 regular Oreos to determine the average amount of cream), and providing reasoning (comparing averages to see if a double-stuff Oreo has twice the cream as a regular Oreo).

The lab focused on the measurement of mass and the use of ruler scales and mathematics to gather evidence.

The Mountaineers also learned what the variables would be in the lab: independent (what they were changing), dependent (what they were measuring), and constant (what was the same for both Oreos).

This was a fun way to kick off CER and the students enjoyed some cookies in the process!