I N - T O U C H S C I E N C E
—Workshop Discussion Scenarios —
Select one or more scenarios for group discussion about Engaging Children.
Scenario #1
Leonora and Mary are two girls who choose to watch and listen, rather than engage in hands-on activities. Their parents prize cleanliness and quiet behavior and have expressed concern about some of the "messes" other children make during their time in the after-school program. The two girls have been told to stay clean and often use their fear of getting dirty or messy as a reason not to participate in science activities. How will you advise the group leader to encourage the girls to explore, while at the same time communicating with the parents in ways that respect their values?
Scenario #2
Zeb is an active, enthusiastic member of a club involving eight other nine and ten year old children. He is willing to try anything and his enthusiasm is often contagious. However, Zeb believes (and expresses himself loudly and clearly) that "science stuff" is for boys and girls can't do it - or shouldn't do it. His father's comments, when he comes to pick up Zeb after each meeting show clearly that Zeb is internalizing Dad's values. How would you advise the leader to deal with Zeb? with his father? with the other children in the group?
Scenario #3
The adult leader has worked hard to prepare a science activity for his group. When he explains the activity to the children (ten 8-11 year olds) one of the older children complains that they "did that last year" and that it's "boring". The same child suggests that the "babies" do that while she and some of the older children hang out under a tree and listen to music from a boom box. How would you advise the leader to deal with this situation?
Scenario #3
The adult leader has worked hard to prepare a science activity for his group. When he explains the activity to the children (ten 8-11 year olds) one of the older children complains that they "did that last year" and that it's "boring". The same child suggests that the "babies" do that while she and some of the older children hang out under a tree and listen to music from a boom box. How would you advise the leader to deal with this situation?
Scenario #4
At the conclusion of a science activity an eight year old girl gives a long, excited (and completely mistaken) explanation of the phenomena the children have observed. The other eight-year-olds react with “WOWS!” and the leader overhears one of them giving the same explanation to her mother at pick-up time. What should you do?
Scenario #5
Minnie is an eleven-year old who has recently moved to a foster home in the community. Because she is partially sighted and has been diagnosed as ADHD, she is attending a special ed class and does not know any of the girls in the neighborhood. Her foster mother hopes that Minnie will make friends by attending a program for "normal" kids, and pleaded with the leader to let her join. Minnie is large for her age and towers over the other children. At the first meeting, it is clear that the other girls are acting clique-ish, hovering together in their group, and leaving Minnie out. The leader overheard one of the girls saying, "Why do we have to have HER here - she's too weird!" The leader wants this to go well; she may have the opportunity to mainstream some other youth as well, and has asked you for suggestions.