Set the Hook
Published November 12, 2008 by Rick Biche
Nothing pleases me more than when students, eighth graders I might add, are speechless. I mean how often does that happen? And, how often does a group of say 22 eighth graders go speechless? All it took was using ice to boil water. Science and curiosity in general are fueled by that one observation, that one irrefutable observation that flies in the face of previous understanding. When kids experience this, when what they thought they understood has just been shattered, their minds are open, engaged and eager.
Can that eagerness last a year? Can it last two years? I believe the desire to learn and to be challenged is in us all, though we may have forgotten some along the way. For these kids, is this a predictor of future success? If 21st century learning requires a life-long learner isn’t the willingness to see the new ideas and engage in thinking about discrepant events and ideas paramount? The skill itself is not new to this new digital landscape.
When I think out 20 years from now it is the engagement with ideas that I hope continues. This is a skill that takes a lifetime to tune. And those that do will apply themselves where they are needed and where they do well. And will they remember they boiled water by adding ice? Maybe.
Filed under Students
8th graders can be a “tough room” as performers put it, so obviously this was quite a feat! I believe you are so right in saying “I believe the desire to learn and to be challenged is in us all.”
It is a shame when anything gets in the way of wonder, free speculation, and the asking of unanswered questions.
This week I asked K, 1, and 2 students if a compass would work on the moon. (We are exploring magnetism.) I was so pleased to hear the speculations — these kids are brainstormers! I hope they stay that way as the years progress. I think your discrepant event demonstration was the perfect way to get those brains storming and that desire to learn and be challenged renewed.
Kudos!