What question are we investigating?
For the first week of Science Methods I, we discussed the question: "What makes something living?" We did this through small group discussion at our tables by looking at random pictures of natural objects. After discussing these small groups, we had a whole group discussion to compare opinions.
What did we do in lab to investigate this question?
The teacher started this lab by giving each table cards with images of natural objects. Some objects that were included were a molecule, soil, and a strawberry. Some of the natural objects created more questions over the characteristics of what is living and non-living, An example of this could be the strawberry. My small group debated whether it matters if the strawberry is on the stem or not. Is a strawberry living if it is on the stem? Is it non-living once it is removed from the stem? Another object we looked at was soil. We all agreed that it wasn’t living because parts of the soil can help living things grow, but it’s not living.
What did we figure out?
For our group discussion, we discussed different requirements we thought to distinguish if something is living. Some of the items we discussed were growth, reproduction, root system, and homeostasis. However, there was still debate from individuals whether items belonged on the list or not. An example of this for me personally would be the root system. I thought that not every organism such as humans has a root system and we are still alive. This also allowed me to use my critical thinking skills when trying to think of specific characteristics of what I thought were living or non-living. It helped me learn more about others' thoughts about this topic.
What are new or remaining questions after the investigation?
This lab gave me a different perspective on how science sometimes doesn't have a clear cut answer to what you are learning in the classroom. It made me confused over how there aren't clear conclusions on what the characteristics of living and non-living things are. It also made me want to learn more about this topic and how I could apply it in my future classroom setting. I hope this semester will help me to learn different ways to use more hands-on activities like this one with my future students.
I appreciate that this topic made you curious to learn more - me, too. And it would be a shame if after this whole lab we condensed it into a boring activity for our students. I think about this a lot -- how can we structure the activity so that kids experience the same interest and curiosity that we did/do?
ReplyDeleteI like the organization of your post. It is easy to follow along and think back on what we did. I also liked the part about how sometimes we don't have a clear answer for what we are learning and that is why I also like to work in groups to bounce ideas off one another.
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