John Hay
John Hay Biomedical
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Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science)
Unit 1: Unit 1.1 to 1.2 Evidence & BiomoleculesPBS 1.1-1.2Biotechnology Research and Experiments

Write A Mini CER

Write a short claim-evidence-reasoning paragraph from a small set of data.

Builds on (2 levels back)inferred · high confidence
  • Read a data table: Students need to find values, labels, and units before calculating or graphing.
  • Fair-test logic: Variables and controls make comparisons meaningful.

Prerequisites are inferred: pending teacher review.

Re-learn the skill with worked practice and clear examples.

Write a short claim-evidence-reasoning paragraph from a small set of data.

Step 1: Learn the key
A mini-CER has a [blank], at least one piece of [blank], and reasoning that explains [blank] the data supports the answer.
CER partJob
Claimanswer the question
Evidencedata from the case
Reasoningexplain why evidence supports claim
CER structure table
Step 2: Use the model
Read the figure, table, control, range, or protocol before choosing an answer.
Step 3: Name the limit
Say what the evidence can support and what it cannot prove yet.
Practice

Use the CER table. A food sample turned blue-black with iodine. Which sentence is evidence?

Reviewed
CER partJob
Claimanswer the question
Evidencedata from the case
Reasoningexplain why evidence supports claim
CER structure table
  1. A.The sample turned blue-black with iodine
  2. B.The sample contains starch
  3. C.This matters because iodine detects starch
  4. D.The paragraph is finished
Show the worked solution ▾

Answer: A. The sample turned blue-black with iodine

  1. Step 1: Define evidence: Evidence is the data from the test.
  2. Step 2: Pick data sentence: The color change is the data.

Why it's right: The color-change sentence is evidence.

Why the others miss:
  • B: That is the claim.
  • C: That is reasoning.
  • D: That is not scientific evidence.

Aligned to Biotechnology Research and Experiments · reading level ~grade 9

Where you'd see this
  • In Unit 1.1 to 1.2 Evidence & Biomolecules, this skill turns class evidence into a result another person can check.
Careers that use this
Biomedical Data Analyst: Uses write a mini-cer to make a decision from evidence without overclaiming.
Video library
Watch: Write A Mini CER
Tackling Claim Evidence Reasoning in Science: How to help students write a CER
adventures in ISTEM
Guided notes

Fill these in as you work through the lesson.

Big idea: Write a short claim-evidence-reasoning paragraph from a small set of data.
Key terms: write the meaning
  • Claim (your answer):  
  • Evidence (specific data that support the answer):  
  • Reasoning (why the evidence supports the claim):  
  • Limitation (what the evidence cannot prove yet):  
The rule

A mini-CER has a  , at least one piece of  , and reasoning that explains   the data supports the answer.

Check yourself
  1. What is the claim? 
  2. Which data sentence supports it? 
  3. How does the data prove or limit the claim? 
Work one example

Write a three-sentence CER: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning for a positive starch test.