Observation I

Chapter 2. Spilling of Old Knowledge onto New Ways of Learning

by Lori LoRusso

Students learn about scientific inquiry and the scientific practices by designing and conducting a STEM investigation. In their investigation, they use knowledge gained from testing their hypothesis about the best method for cleaning up an ocean oil spill to design and construct solutions. The students incorporate their previously learned knowledge of environments as they learn how to apply scientific and engineering practices and learn about human impact on the environment and ecosystems. One of the numerous adjustments on which teacher author LoRusso reflects was how she was able to achieve the Teaching Standard More Emphasis condition, focusing on student understanding and use of scientific knowledge, ideas, and inquiry processes. “I assigned students the take-home project of creating their own oil spill clean-up machine so they could put into practice the ideas and knowledge they had gained by doing this inquiry in class.”