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Teaching Children Science: A Project-Based Approach, 2/e

Joe Krajcik, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Charlene Czerniak, University of Toledo
Carl Berger, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Why and How Should I Teach Science to Children?

WHERE'S THE OTHER FILM CANISTER?

Materials Needed:

An assortment of 35 mm film canisters
A variety of small objects that can be placed inside 35 mm film canisters (there must be two of each item; for example, two paper clips or two marbles)
Duct tape or packing tape

In this activity, each team of students should get a 35 mm film canister and objects to place inside it. Each team should have the same assortment of small objects. The team should place one, two, or three objects but only one of each type of item in its canister and then seal it with duct tape or packing tape.

Each team's task is to find a film canister from another team that, when shaken, makes sounds similar to its own canister. NOTE: This can become challenging if teams put more than one small object in each canister.

Try to construct a model about what is in each of the other teams' canisters by using an empty film canister and shaking it with the different objects inside to test the theory.


1		What are the various activities or processes that you went through to develop a theory of what is in the film canister? Without opening the cans and looking inside, how sure can you be that your theory is correct?



2		How does this activity resemble the construction of scientific theories to explain real-world phenomena? How do the methods you used resemble the scientific methods you use in your daily life?

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