Theme: Nurturing Young
Scientists
Introduction
Watching
a seedling unfurl, discovering a butterfly's food preferences,
uncovering the mysteries of decomposition. These experiences
spark students' curiosity and provide fertile ground for thinking
and acting like scientists. The National Science Education Standards
and many state frameworks underscore that the main strategy
for teaching science should be through inquiry into authentic
questions generated from students' experiences. What better
context than a living garden or habitat laboratory?
Student observations in such environments ripen into meaningful
questions that can lead to investigations and problem-solving.
Which flowers do butterflies prefer? How can we maintain
a healthy pond? Does compost work better than store-bought fertilizer?
Math and language skills, which are important tools of science,
are naturally honed in the garden. After all, scientists must
describe plants, keep careful notes, find patterns, organize
and represent data, and accurately communicate procedures and
results.
Growing
Understanding
What about your need to cover diversity, habitats, food chains,
or other science or environmental concepts? Thematic gardening
projects can be enticing springboards. A butterfly garden, for
instance, is an ideal setting for exploring flower adaptations
for reproduction and plant/animal interdependence. Raising an
herb garden can engage students in examining plant attributes
(e.g., aromas) and considering why they may have evolved. In
a Native American "three sisters" garden, students
can explore how a culture's planting system helps plants meet
their basic needs.
Explore some of the following articles for more on cultivating
scientists in your classroom or schoolyard.
Page 2 Cultivating
Keen Observers. Help kids' refine their natural curiosity
into enlivened observation.
Page 3 Inquiring
Into Inquiry. These students (and teachers) learn how
to ask questions and come to understanding via a study of
plant life cycles.
Page 4 It's
All in the Eyes - One teacher's reflections on sprouting
inquiry using the humble potato.
Page 5 Beyond
the Scientific Method. Inspiring suggestions to help your
students think and act like scientists.
Page 6 Exploring
What Scientists Do.Using real world examples to awaken
kids' inner scientists.
Page 7 Grappling
With Data. Engaging ways to awaken understanding by making
sense of all those measurements.
Page 8 Getting
to Know Plants.Cultivate understanding and lifelong learning
skills through the study of plants.
Page 9 Cultivating
Inquirers.Through observation of plants and their pollinators,
these students were inspired to inquire further.
Page 10 Insect
Appeal. Students think plants are boring? Let insects
lead them to the garden!
Page 11 Netting
a Solution to Aphids. How a class turned a potential
plant disaster into a serendipitous science success.
Page 12 Inspiring
Insect Sleuths. Growing scientists from the ground up,
with insects leading the way.
Page 13 Luminous
Lessons. Explore the wide spectrum of engaging options
for investigating light's effects on plants.
Page 14 Weatherwise
Learners.Classrooms connect via e-mail to track the
weather in different regions and its effects on bulbs.
Page 15 Greenhouse
Zinnia Race. Student researchers compete to design the
perfect growing methods for zinnias, and learn loads along
the way.
Page 16 Resources.
Web sites and grants to support your growing scientists.
Author: Eve Pranis
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© 2009
National Gardening Association