Injecting Inquiry

This is a pdf from a science magazine.  The article describes how a middle school science teacher wanted to improve his labwork on photosynthesis.  He describes the changes he made and how to conduct the lab.  He lists the materials needed and step by step how he guides his students to various discoveries. Before you can distinguish between basic features of two things, you must understand the basic features of each seperate principle.  This article describes both a teachers journey to inquiry and also a lab on photosynthesis.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding

Helpful Hints

Materials:

  • Test tubes and test-tube racks
  • Beakers
  • Small disposable cups
  • Drinking straws with a hole cut into the middle
  • Plastic wrap
  • Aluminum foil
  • Plastic storage bags
  • Timers
  • Chemical splash goggles
  • Disposable latex or vinyl gloves
  • BTB (available as a 0.1% solution from most science
  • supply companies)
  • pH test strips
  • Vinegar
  • Elodea (available from most aquarium stores)
  • Pond snails (available from most aquarium stores)
  • Small, hardy fish such as feeder fish, guppies, or small
  • goldfish (available from most aquarium stores)
  • Light and dark environments
  • Poster paper
  • Markers
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Optional: Dissolved oxygen test tablets (available from mostscience supply companies for water-quality testing)
  • Optional: Other materials as requested by students
  • and as available, such as seeds, soil, food coloring,
  • cheesecloth, etc.

References

Contributors: