Fun science

Focus Questions

1. What was the main point of the story?

2. The number of kids studying science subjects at school has

a. Increased

b. Decreased

c. Stayed the same

3. How were the Indigenous students in the BtN story learning about biology?

4. It’s hoped that the science activities and experiments will encourage more Indigenous kids to consider…

5. Describe the Australian Museum science competition.

6. Briefly summarise of one of the entries in the competition.

7. Think of three adjectives to describe science.

8. How do you think more students can be encouraged to choose science subjects at school? Explain your answer.

9. Predict what might happen if numbers of students choosing science at school doesn’t increase.

10. How has your thinking changed since watching the BtN story?

Fun science

Students begin by brainstorming words they associate with science. What is science? Come up with a class definition of science. Think of how your life would be different without scientific discoveries.

Students can choose from the following activities

· Pose a big science question as the starting point for a scientific inquiry. Here are some examples of possible questions:
Why did dinosaurs die out?
Why is the sky blue?
How big is the universe?
Is time travel physically or logically possible?
How and why did the universe begin?
Think of creative ways to explain/answer your big science question (using multimedia, models, video or animation).

· Tell your own real scientific story that explains a concept, invention or discovery. Make a short video or presentation that tells your science story.

· Create your own mini science lesson to teach to students in another class. The ABC’s Surfing Scientist has lots of lessons to inspire you http://www.abc.net.au/science/surfingscientist/lessonplans/default.htm . Carefully plan your lesson so that you are clear about what you want students to learn. Share your lesson with a group of students in your class or another class.

Reflection
How has your view of learning science changed since completing this investigation?


Further investigation

Draw a picture of what you think a scientist looks like. What scientific work does your scientist do?

8 Related Research Links

Australian Museum – Eureka’s nurtures young scientists
http://eureka.australianmuseum.net.au/news/eurekas-nuture-young-scientists

ABC Science - The Surfing Scientist lesson plans
http://www.abc.net.au/science/surfingscientist/lessonplans/default.htm

© ABC 2011