Make It Relevant

Staff Development Guide

Training Situation: Meeting (small group)

Length: 25 minutes

Objective: Participants will brainstorm science practices in order to add more opportunities for youth to connect the work of scientists to their everyday activities.

Agenda:

• What Do Scientists Do? – 10 minutes
• See the Skill in Action – 5 minutes
• Discussion – 10 minutes

Video-Based Learning Module

As you watch the skill video below, think about these questions:

• What does the facilitator do to ensure that all youth have some prior knowledge before beginning the design challenge?
• How does the facilitator learn about youth’s prior knowledge and experiences wtih roller coasters?
• What are some other ways you could introduce a roller coaster design challenge?

Now that you’ve watched the video, reflect on what you saw and post your responses.

• What can make connecting to prior knowledge and experiences more difficult when doing a design challenge activity?
• Why is it important to go over instructions when doing a design challenge?  How can that influence youth engagement?