Science

Essential Questions
What are the best methods for incorporating inquiry into hands-on science activities?

Online Resources
http://resources.emints.org/modresources/links/science.shtml Username: emintspd Password: fy08

Session Starter - Investigation of Human Reaction Time
How would you measure your own Reaction Time? If you had a catch a ruler which was dropped, how would you measure your own reaction time in catching the ruler? Plan, design and conduct your own experiment.

Use the following reaction time websites after you have finished to test your own reaction time. Whose faster? You or your partner?
 * 1) Fastball Reaction Time[| http://www.exploratorium.edu/baseball/reactiontime.html]
 * 2) Reaction Tester http://www.bmeijer.com/games/reaction_tester/
 * 3) Test Your Reaction Time http://www.neth.de/Interact/Games/reacT.html

Share and discuss your experiment designs. How does your experience differ from the Reaction Time - Traditional Approach handout (pages 10-12, 13-14 in the facilitator module)? //Trainers should have page 6 from the facilitators module ready to facilitate this discussion.

At this point, I would have participants define 'What is inquiry-based learning?' http://www.biology.duke.edu/cibl/inquiry/why_inquiry_in_ms.htm Have participants open the participant module to page 5 and explain that good inquiry in science includes the process skills (and read them aloud from that page.) Explain that the entire module contains information that they will want to read later. Compliment them for the great inquiry and hand-on work you know they are already doing in their classrooms. Explain that the rest of the evening is going to focus on what teachers can do to bring technology INTO great science investigations.// **//Developing Criteria for Inquiry Based Science - 30 minutes//** //is next in the facilitator module. Jigsaw and read out of the modules and examine sample websites from resource links. Facilitator module gives Sample Criteria. Maybe it would be enough to put onto wiki and incorporate into the above discussion about What is Inquiry?// **Analyzing Science activities is next - 60 Minutes** this is the last thing suggested in the facilitator module to do. I think the main ideas could again be discussed in a 20 minute discussion about Inquiry.

**Internet Resources**
15 Minute Tour of Each of the 4 Categories, and 15 minutes of Exploration Time! Enjoy!
 * 1) Websites
 * 2) Missouri's List of Science Websites http://missouri.emints.org/area1/science/ You can even rate your favorites.
 * 3) ThinkFinity (formerly Marco Polo) Tools: http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/tool_index.cfm
 * 4) Planet Size Comparison: http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/messenger/psc/PlanetSize.html
 * 5) Dr. Universe: [|h]