It's always one thing to have all these questions about something that we just KNOW science can help us explain, but it's a whole other thing when we realize we've got to figure out just HOW we can answer our questions...
We had a really honest conversation as a class to discuss the many challenges that remote learning puts in place. But one area that especially hit home is recognizing that the Internet is right at our fingertips opening another tab and searching for our answers. We're trying hard as a class to resist doing so and doing the work of real scientists, and that is that the answers aren't always available to us. That's the work of science, right?
So we still committed ourselves to developing an Investigation Ideas chart, and look at what the 6th grade came up with!!!
We had a really honest conversation as a class to discuss the many challenges that remote learning puts in place. But one area that especially hit home is recognizing that the Internet is right at our fingertips opening another tab and searching for our answers. We're trying hard as a class to resist doing so and doing the work of real scientists, and that is that the answers aren't always available to us. That's the work of science, right?
So we still committed ourselves to developing an Investigation Ideas chart, and look at what the 6th grade came up with!!!
Students were then challenged to think about which investigations we should start with, knowing that we're working remotely and materials might be an area of concern. Here's a snapshot of some students' ideas!
With lots of discussions in breakout rooms, we agreed that making a model might actually be the best idea, knowing getting an expert might be a challenge and going somewhere with a one-way mirror might be a bit of a challenge during a pandemic. With a quick search online, Mrs. Brinza found an affordable roll of one-way mirror film and dropped it off at school for students to pick up.
In the interim, we brainstormed materials we could use for our model, and between flashlights, tape/glue, small things for the men (mini-figures, candles, paper clips, etc), Amazon boxes, and cereal boxes, we're feeling pretty good about making our models! We're even thinking how a model WITHOUT the one-way mirror film might be helpful, too!
In the interim, we brainstormed materials we could use for our model, and between flashlights, tape/glue, small things for the men (mini-figures, candles, paper clips, etc), Amazon boxes, and cereal boxes, we're feeling pretty good about making our models! We're even thinking how a model WITHOUT the one-way mirror film might be helpful, too!
Mrs. Brinza built one herself to help with the construction of the boxes. Of course, she won't use it until students have theirs built, and if students had trouble making one, they can utilize the one Mrs. Brinza made (alongside videos she creates and shares based on what students want her to do with the model). We've got lots to investigate!