We were excited to be able to share the following (recently completed) video with Dr. Bird and to have a conversation about the kind of thinking we tried to cultivate in our students throughout the process. Having effectively guided them toward deeper understanding of scientific research earlier in the year with our Rotten Tomatoes Decomposition Lab, our inquiry into plant growth invited students' to use their experience with the 'Game of Science' to develop their own questions this time around. They were free to choose how to structure and represent their research autonomously, based on their previous experience.
The results were messy and in some cases, disorganized. Maintaining controlled conditions was difficult, keeping outdoor plants alive in May was a challenge. Many students discovered on their own why quantitative observations are typically separated from qualitative data, how organizing information makes analyses much simpler, and which variables should be most carefully observed when documenting plant growth. Though some conclusions were surprising or skewed by human error, the real value was that our students wrapped up these experiments with an insatiable desire to discover more about plants, undeterred by the awareness that everything might fail.
Cross-posted on Savouring the Ish
2 comments:
I enjoyed reading your blog about your inquiry into plant growth. The video clips are very effective in telling the story and sharing the student perspective. You demonstrate through the involvement of Prof. Bird from Mount Royal University the merit of involving outside experts to enrich learning. Dr. Bird's observations strongly support your focus as teachers on encouraging your students to be curious and helping them to enjoy the "game of science". The videos demonstrate how students welcome the opportunity to be risk takers and to learn what it feels like to be a scientist. All that you do to share your experiences as teachers and learners with others is greatly appreciated.
Dear Deidre and Amy,
This was amazing! A friend shared this with me because we are trying to make Inquiry the cornerstone of our STEM strategy. This is such an incredible example of inquiry combined with 21st century skills. I can't wait to share this with our teachers. They are always interested in seeing real kids doing this work. Do you ever publish your units? I would love to see our teachers try this with their students. Thank you for the inspiration and for sharing with the rest of us.
All the best,
Trish Hill
K-8 Science Curriculum Coordinator
Sandwich, MA USA
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