KLEIN's
GUIDE TO
SCIENCE EDUCATION
PHOTO CREDIT: Nadene Klein at Tuolumne Meadows Yosemite National Park
Lately, I've been seeing more article and conference sessions promoting the use of phenomena to capture the attention of science students. Show them a WOW moment and they'll be motivated to learn the science that explains it. It would seem this is a new idea. But, it's not.
The guide, Demo A Day by Borislaw Bilash, was published in 1995. It's the same notion. Show your class a little science magic to peak their interest. I've been using this concept in my science classes for many years. I call them "Wednesday's Wonders." Students watch as I do one of the demos for them, then we discuss it, including connections to the science we're learning. This whole process can take as little as 10 minutes. The greatest part is that it really works. Students are thoroughly intrigued and often surprised as I do demos that on the surface appear like magic until you dive into the science. Sometimes, students need a bigger phenomena and/or shared experience to get over a stumbling block. My alternative ed physics students rather dislike doing math. Though they are mostly capable, they'd avoid it if at all possible. So when I wanted them to calculate terminal velocity (which includes calculating surface area of an irregular shape), I had to do something major. Luckily I won a small grant that made it possible to do that major thing. We went indoor skydiving!!! Talk about a phenomena that motivated/interested/thrilled my students and got them calculating terminal velocity of me, a ball, and themselves without a single complaint. I ask students for anonymous feedback at the end of every school. When I ask what were their favorite activities and what should I not change, the most frequent answer has been Wednesday's Wonders. Former students check and make sure I still do them. The truth is while I leverage the phenomena to inspire my students, it's super fun for me too! Scientifically yours, Nadene
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AuthorNadene Klein, M.Ed. has been an educator for over 25 years. She brings a passion and love for science to the classroom and through this blog to you. Archives
March 2024
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