experiment to make it more clear?
about this: when plants leaf-out in the and you think of another you’d like to
Don’t put all the questions out at
spring, they draw water from the ground try, go for it. The human brain is a well-
once. Just one or two a day. After a few
for photosynthesis, enough to reduce the organized learning machine. It works
days, add another question: What would
depth of a stream by 50%. That’s a lot of autonomously, if we let it. Should you do
the lab report on this experiment look
pumping, and transpiration is part of the a few of these works in progress, you’ll
like? That prompts your students to make
pumping system. gain some insights into student learning
sense of the whole thing.
Hook up a tube to the cut stem of that you can get no other way. You sneak
You can
a green plant, up on them, and they learn. Because
add more
and attach the that’s how we’re built.
parameters to When you students ask questions,
other end to a
observe as you
give them time to find out for
pressure sen- If you are thinking of using a works
go along. For
themselves by consulting texts or
sor. Use a timer in progress, and would like a sound-
instance, you
to control a
ing board, feel free to e-mail me at
can add a pH the web.
lamp, set it for
berrywd@teleport.com.
reading on the
two hours’ light
same interval
at night, and
as the others. There are some interesting
make sure it is obvious to students when Jim Martin is a former classroom teacher
associations in the changes to dissolved
the light is on, and when it is off. Again, and former member of the Portland State
oxygen and pH readings that express
graph the data, add provocative ques-
University Center for Science Educa-
themselves in a way that makes sense to
tions, and rest assured that students will
tion. He is also a past-president of the
some students.
learn. And, you don’t have to do any
Environmental Education Association
prep except for the set up and writing
of Oregon and a long-time and valued
Adding value to these “Works in
out the questions.
contributor to CLEARING.
Progress” setups is the fact that you can
use them to find out about things you’re
So, with little class time devoted to
not sure about. Let’s say you don’t know
teaching, your students have formulated
a lot about photosynthesis, respiration,
a question, articulated an experimental
and pH. (It’s a fact that in the U.S., about
design to answer the question, observed,
50% of teachers don’t have college level
analyzed, and interpreted data, and
preparation in the content they are asked
formulated a conclusion. Not only that,
to teach. This places a real, and unfair
they have assessed the experiment and
burden on teachers. Use these works in
posited next steps. If you post informa-
progress to learn more yourself.) Because
tion on how the dissolved oxygen probe
you’re not directly teaching these content
works and what dissolved oxygen levels
topics in your experiment, you’ll view
are healthy in your stream, they’ll be
them from a different, and less threaten-
ready for dissolved oxygen observa-
ing perspective. When you students ask
tions on-site. That’s a lot of autonomous
questions, give them time to find out
learning.
for themselves by consulting texts or
If you use works in progress experi-
the web. Then, keep your eyes and ears
ments regularly, you’ll enhance your sci-
peeled on what they come up with.
ence curriculum and reap the benefits.
You can end the experiments any
I used to add this to essay questions on
time that you wish. Just end them, or
tests: “Feel free to use what you might
engage your class in discussion and fol-
have observed in the _____ experiment
lowup. That’s the nice thing about them.
to answer this question.” A bonus for
They place no obligation on you, yet
spending a little time before or after
they provide wonderful opportunities for
class.
student learning.
There are any number of experi-
ments that can be set up and left run-
Almost any topic can be illustrated
ning for students to kibbitz. The secret
with a works in progress experiment. For
is to start with just one, try it, see if you
instance, plant transpiration is one that
like it. Next year, you can add another.
most teachers and students don’t know
Or, if the first one works well for you,
much about, yet is very important. Think
Clearing - 2009 Compendium Edition http://www.clearingmagazine.org Page 33
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