In order to engage in scientific and engineering practices, K-12 students need opportunities to participate in asking questions and defining problems. These opportunities should allow for teacher scaffolding so that all students, including those with disabilities and English learners, can access and fully participate in the content. By providing these opportunities, students will be better equipped to identify and use resources, as well as develop and use models to demonstrate their understanding of phenomena.
Technology can be a powerful tool to provide students with opportunities to engage in scientific and engineering practices. Online simulations, for example, can be used to allow students to manipulate variables and observe the results, providing data that can be used to generate hypotheses. Other online tools, such as Plickers, can be used to quickly gauge student understanding and identify areas of further exploration.
Why asking questions and defining problems is important in science and engineering
Asking questions and defining problems are fundamental to scientific and engineering practices for K-12 students. Asking questions allows students to explore topics more deeply, to describe their understanding more accurately, and to initiate a collaboration with their peers. It helps students to start a problem-solving process by visualizing the problem, generating and testing hypotheses, using analytical assessment, and developing a solution strategy.
Having the capacity to ask informed questions and identify a problem’s boundaries are also essential for data collection. While asking questions and defining problems are important in a variety of disciplines and contexts, they are integral in meeting national and state expectations in a Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) or Common Core Science Framework (CCSF) classroom. Helping students cultivate their autonomy, critical thinking, and creativity will assist in the development of their knowledge, skills, and dispositions throughout scientific and engineering inquiry.
How to ask questions and define problems like a scientist or engineer
The thought process behind problem solving in science and engineering revolves around the systematic analysis and challenge of scientific concepts, theories, phenomena and problems. Students can practice this method of questioning to discover what is already known, and then procede to analyzing current information to formulate meaningful questions. Here is an example of how to ask questions and define problems like a scientist or engineer:
1. Observe - First, observe the problem and ask yourself questions that can provide further insight. What cause and effect relationships exist? What variables might be important?
2. Research - Look up information on the problem and take notes. What other perspectives exist on the issue?
3. Analyze - Analyze the data you collected. Is there a correlation between two variables? How can patterns be used to model the issue?
4. Generate Solutions - Develop a hypothesis and generate possible solutions for a course of action. What testable predictions can be derived from this data?
5. Test Possibilities - Perform an experiment to verify or reject the alternative solutions. What variables should be monitored to assess results?
6. Draw Conclusions - review the results and see if any trends can be observed. Do the results support a particular course of action? What are the implications of the outcome?
By following these steps, students can practice asking questions and defining problems like a scientist or engineer. This can help them to develop the problem solving skills necessary to generate future solutions.
Tips for teachers on incorporating science and engineering practices into the classroom
Teachers play a vital role in helping students become successful in science and engineering. Here are some tips on how teachers can incorporate science and engineering practices into the classroom:
1. Model the Process – Show students how to ask questions and help them develop their search skills. Walk them through the steps of finding and analyzing information.
2. Structure Activities – Structure activities to emphasize the engineering and scientific process. For example, have students build a model of a circuit board or design an experiment to test a hypothesis.
3. Integrate Problem-Based Learning – Incorporate problem-based learning into the classroom. Have students work together to solve real-world problems.
4. Provide Opportunities for Collaboration – foster collaborative learning by having students work together in groups. Encourage students to share their ideas and the results of their experiments.
5. Use Technology – Utilize technology to enhance learning. Incorporate digital tools to facilitate the science and engineering practices.
By using these tips, teachers can help their students develop their problem solving skills. This will enable students to be successful in science and engineering and will give them the tools to continue their problem-solving journey.
Resources for further learning about science and engineering practices
Teachers can utilize various resources when introducing science and engineering practices in the classroom. Here is a list of resources that teachers can use to extend the learning of science and engineering:
1. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory – provides lesson plans, tutorials, and experiments related to space science and engineering.
2. Google’s Science Journal App – students can observe and measure environmental changes using a virtual notebook
3. National Academy of Engineering – provides lesson plans, activities, and professional development for teachers
4. Autodesk’s Project Ignite – an online platform providing activities and project-based learning for students with an interest in engineering
5. Bill Nye’s Science Guy – a collection of videos and resources to create a fun and engaging learning experience
6. Khan Academy – provides interactive courses to help students master the subject matter
7. Smore for Education – an online platform for creating engaging learning resources for students
These resources will help teachers bring science and engineering practices into the classroom and give students the opportunity to discover the practical applications of these disciplines.
