© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation. Leading Hands-On Science Activities.

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Leading Hands-On

Science Activities

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

• Why Lead Science Activities?

• What is FETCH!?

• Hang Time Activity

• Your Role as Leader

• Open vs. Closed Questions

• What’s the Buzz? Activity

• Resources

• Questions

Today’s Agenda

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Why Lead Science

Activities?

Hands-on science experiences can…

• spark kids’ interest in doing science

• open doors to future studies & careers

• send the message that everyone can do science

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

• PBS show for kids ages 6 to 10

• Hosted by slightly neurotic, but irresistible dog—Ruff Ruffman

• Airs on PBS (check local listings)

• Download from iTunes

• Activities stand alone—no TV viewing necessary

What is FETCH?

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Six contestants solve exciting challenges and….

• flex their problem-solving muscles

• use science skills

• work in teams

What is FETCH?

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

What is FETCH?

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Hang Time

Challenge

Make a copter that finishes LAST!

Materials

• paper

• scissors

• paperclips

From the FETCH! Web sitepbskidsgo.org/fetch

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Share Your“Hang Time” Results

What happened?

• How did your first copter fly?

• What changes did you try so it would fall more slowly?

• What made it fall more quickly?

• Follow-up challenge—Make the smallest or largest copter.

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

How and when did we think like scientists?

• Ask questions• Observe• Make predictions• Change one variable• Revise and test• Analyze results• Share discoveries

Thinking Like a

Scientist

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Your Role as Leader

• Gather materials

• Try every challenge first

• Facilitate brainstorm sessions (as needed)

• Circulate around the room

• Ask kids open-ended questions

• Point out when kids think like scientists

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Open vs. ClosedQuestions

Which of these questions ask kids to explain and expand upon their thoughts?

A. How could you change your copter?

B. Why do you think it’s falling so quickly?

C. Did it work?

D. What could you do to make it fall more slowly?

E. How long are your copter blades?

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Science Inquiry

Asking questions can help kids…

• explain and expand their thinking

• slow down and clarify next steps

• work through setbacks

• solve problems independently

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

What’s the Buzz?

Challenge

Make a kazoo and get the buzz on sound vibrations!

Materials

• toilet paper tubes • waxed paper

• aluminum foil • plastic wrap

• rubber bands • scissors

• sharpened pencil

From the FETCH! Web sitepbskidsgo.org/fetch

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

What happened?

• What adjustments did you make to your kazoo?

• What happened when you tried different materials?

• What happens when you put your finger over the hole you made?

Share Your“What’s the Buzz?” Results

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

• Materials

• Trouble spots

• Introducing the activity

• Questions

• Thinking like scientists

Preparing to Lead

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Questions to Ask

• What do you know about kazoos?

• Where have you seen one before?

• What would happen if…?

• How did you decide where to…?

• What could you change to make it work better?

• Why did that happen?

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Web sitepbskidsgo.org/fetch

• Hosted by Ruff Ruffman

• Mirrors the experience of show’s contestants

• Background on Ruff, contestants, and the show

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Over 30 FETCH! Activities

on the Web site

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Learn more about leading science activities! In this training, you’ll… • watch slide shows demonstrating an activity• explore effective tips and techniques• put new skills to practice• chart your progress as an activity leader

pbs.org/parents/fetch/training

FETCH! Hands-On Science Training

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Options for Leading Activities

One-Time Event

• Promote a FETCH! Activity Meeting

• Photocopy hand-out

Hosting a Club

• Kids like belonging to a group and earning points

• Membership Cards

• Certificates

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

FETCH! News Updates • offers of new resources• tips for leading

activities• extension ideas• production updates• event details

Sign up by sending your name, organization, and address to: [email protected]

For Leaders

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Is Funded By…

FETCH! is produced by WGBH Boston. Major funding for Fetch! is provided by the National Science Foundation and public television viewers. This FETCH! material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0813513. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. © 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. FETCH!, the characters and related indicia are trademarks of the WGBH Educational Foundation. All third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Used with permission. pbskidsgo.org/fetch

© 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation.

• Watch FETCH! on PBS

• Check out pbskidsgo.org/fetch

• Take the FETCH! Hands-On Science Training on the FETCH! Web site

• Sign up for FETCH news updates at: [email protected]

• Questions?

Thank You