Theory and Law: Mystery Lines Activity

Abstract

This study aimed to teach 9th grade students the meanings of scientific theory and scientific law, and
the differences between them. The related literature informs that students at different grade levels have
misconceptions about the definition of both scientific theory and scientific law and the relationship
between them. In this study, the teaching activity emphasized that the characteristics of scientific
theory and scientific law are different. The activity was carried out in five groups, each with 5 students
forming a sample of 25 students. The first part of the activity emphasized that scientific laws are in
fact the simplest form of relations and generalizations. The second part focused on scientific theories
emerging from inferential explanations. This activity is important in terms of supporting conceptual
understanding of the students and teaching that scientific theories and scientific laws are different
kinds of information and that scientific knowledge are open to change.