Ouch!

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2002 : November : 2

Ouch!
By Susan

Wow, that must hurt. I'm so sorry.

You rightly identify that science without materials is very hard to make interesting. Don't let the lack of textbooks stop you, though. Have you posted on the science board asking for
ideas on how to make various science topics come alive for your students (w/o texts and w/ materials you and they can get for cheap from home)?
One thing my bio teacher did many years ago (ninth grade) was have us devise our own experiments. We were allowed to do one or two surveys (taking polls of other students' opinions on various topics, for example, then tabulating and analyzing

the results). The rest had to be more complex experiments. The only science I remember from HS I learned in that class. The standout for me was trying to determine whether or not chipmunks had territories (I discovered that they did). I trapped one little fella, put a dab of red paint on his body, then let him go. I then observed him over a period of many days. When I thought he was staying within certain bounds, I tried to lure him past his boundary with a trail of peanuts. He wouldn't budge beyond a certain point. Hence my conclusion.

No one instructed me on what to do. I had to dream this up on my own, although I'm sure I was encouraged to discuss my ideas. I was not a stellar science student (had very little interest in it), but I remember that experiment to this day.

You may be surprised what your students can devise for themselves, given a little encouragement.

Good luck!