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Subject: Science: Scientific InquiryLesson Title: What If Footballs Weren’t Made of LeatherGoals/Objectives:• Students formulate tested hypotheses. Develop and explain the appropriate procedures,controls and variables (dependent and independent) in scientific experimentation.• Students present scientific findings using clear language, accurate data, appropriategraphs, tables, maps and available technology.• Students use models to predict and analyze.• Students draw conclusions from inquiries based on scientific knowledge and principles,the use of logic and evidence from investigations.• Students explain how new scientific data can cause any existing scientific explanation tobe supported, revised or rejected.National Standards met: Scientific Inquiry: 7th-12th GradeMethods/Procedures:• The teacher must create the scenario that a fictional character, player or interestedindividual is concerned that leather, an animal product, is used to make all NFLfootballs. This individual, being an ardent vegetarian, believes that there has to beother choices and options available for football construction.• As a beginning activity, students will be asked to pretend they are this individual andstate a hypothesis in writing and explain the procedures they must go through to testtheir hypothesis for a leather replacement football.• Secondly, the students will construct a chart comparing the leather football andstatistics such as ease of construction, throwing capability, passing capability, kickingcapability and any other areas they feel the new ball and the traditional leather ballcan be tested.• Next, the class will be convened so each student or group of students can presenttheir findings from the experimentation.• Finally, the students' and/or their groups' results will be charted so the class can eitheraccept or reject the materials chosen as leather replacements.• The teacher should bring in an example of footballs used in the NFL and studentsshould jot down observations and impressions.SCIENCENew England Patriots Edition 81 Pro Football Hall of Fame Educational Outreach Program