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Discrepant Events in Science Education. Messing with their Heads. Discrepant Event. Something that happens with a surprising outcome Real life Car doesn’t start Hail What are other things that surprised you this summer?. Benefits. Reveals misconceptions
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Discrepant Events in Science Education Messing with their Heads
Discrepant Event • Something that happens with a surprising outcome • Real life • Car doesn’t start • Hail • What are other things that surprised you this summer?
Benefits • Reveals misconceptions • Helps student analyze their own conceptions • Creates a drive to know • Like seeing a magic trick, we want to know how it is done. Magician doesn’t tell; science teacher does—when begged! • Fun, engaging, and motivational
Types • Demonstrations • Hands-on Activities • Bean plants • Observations in natural settings • Ex. Many students believe that you cannot see the Moon and Sun together in the sky
Examples • Bean planted in soil. Some put in dark and some put in light. Which will grow faster? • Students Predict: Make a hypothesis, which involves an explanation. • Conduct • Observe results • Explain
Results The seedling on the left was grown in light. The one in the middle was in the dark. The one on the right received weak pulses of light.
POE Method • Predict • Explain • Observe • Explain • Gets much more mileage (and thinking and engaging) out of a demo or activity
Demos • Weights on strings • Rolling • Resonance Bar • Specific Heat of Water • Balloon • Money to Burn • Heating up cans/cooling down
Other Disc Events • Needle Proof Balloon Dust • Touchable Fireballs • Disappearing Water • I’m Melting • Acetone (in many fingernail polish removers) • Stryofoam cup: appears to melt • Nonpolar solvent • Balloon Challenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRcfZxBiAyo