This surprised me. My students are a curious bunch... they wonder, they explore, they are bursting with energy, and they LOVE science, a discipline that is all about asking good questions. Unfortunately, they seldom have a chance to ask and explore those questions themselves. Science in the classroom is often about exploring questions that someone else has decided are important. Our curriculum tells them how to set up the investigation, how to collect their data, and how to answer the focus question. It's fun and hands-on, but it's not "real science". It doesn't help the learn the most important thing---how to be curious and ask a really good question.
Fortunately, our school puts on an annual science fair, which provides an opportunity for students to ask their own questions and pursue science topics that they are passionate about. Unfortunately, not every student gets that chance. Four things get in their way: money for supplies, time, space and parent support.
About my class
This surprised me. My students are a curious bunch... they wonder, they explore, they are bursting with energy, and they LOVE science, a discipline that is all about asking good questions. Unfortunately, they seldom have a chance to ask and explore those questions themselves. Science in the classroom is often about exploring questions that someone else has decided are important. Our curriculum tells them how to set up the investigation, how to collect their data, and how to answer the focus question. It's fun and hands-on, but it's not "real science". It doesn't help the learn the most important thing---how to be curious and ask a really good question.
Fortunately, our school puts on an annual science fair, which provides an opportunity for students to ask their own questions and pursue science topics that they are passionate about. Unfortunately, not every student gets that chance. Four things get in their way: money for supplies, time, space and parent support.
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