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Science as Inquiry

Curriculum Connections

Submitted by editor on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:27
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Investigating Plant Tropisms

The garden structures described in this Classroom Project provide a multitude of opportunities for discovering how plants grow and respond to stimuli in the environment. A response to stimuli by plants is called a tropism, which comes from the Greek word meaning 'turn.' Plant tropisms that are easy to observe in the garden include heliotropism (response to the sun), geo- or gravitropism (response to gravity) and thigmatropism (response to touch.)

Insect Safari

Submitted by admin on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 17:02
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Overview

Gardens usually have more insect inhabitants than plants! In this lesson, students sharpen their observation skills by going on an insect safari to learn more about these fascinating garden residents.

Objective

To compare preconceptions about insects to information gleaned through direct observation; to understand that as a whole insects are more helpful than harmful to the garden; to stimulate curiosity and a desire to study insects further.

Materials

  • Paper

  • Pencils

Play to Learn

Submitted by admin on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 15:31
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By: 
NGA Staff

Education experts recognize play as the basis of the development of critical thinking skills, and that makes games a valid way to stimulate students' natural abilities to reason, ask questions, and find answers on their own.  "Outdoor games are an ideal way for young students to practice being focused and attentive observers," says Denver, CO, kindergarten teacher Susan Peacock. Following are some of her suggestions for helping students get comfortable with and become keen observers in an outdoor environment.

Come to Your Senses

Submitted by admin on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 13:24
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Overview

Students explore and describe some food samples. As the class reviews the descriptions, they notice which senses came into play. They begin to distinguish between descriptions that are based on judgments and those based on qualities we can identify through different senses.

Urban Weather Investigations

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 14:32
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Overview

Weather is a challenge for all gardeners, but urban landscapes have unique climate issues caused by man's manipulation of the land, including including the phenomena of heat islands and excessive runoff during rainstorms. In this lesson, students will investigate urban temperature and rain patterns.

Objectives

Students will take data and make observations of temperature, rainfall, and stormwater runoff patterns, and discuss the impact these might have on their school garden.

Plants and Music

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 16:42
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Question: For my daughter's science fair project, she wants to compare plants grown with classical music playing and plants grown with rock music. There don't seem to be any definitive scientific studies on this subject. Can you help?

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