“A hypothesis is never right or wrong. We do not prove science.” 🔬
How do we move students away from the hunt for “the right answer” and toward understanding science as a dynamic, evidence-based process?
Our free lesson plan, created by 2023 NJ State Teacher of the Year and #SCLAmbassador Christine Girtain, introduces students to the Nature of Science (NOS) by pairing a hands-on logic puzzle with our award-winning film, Decoding Ancestral Knowledge.
In this lesson, students:
🎲 Use the Hypothesis Cube to predict patterns using logic and observation
🎬 Watch the film (2024 AAAS Kavli winner) to experience how ancient oral narratives inspire modern hypotheses
🌱 Explore living laboratories like Hawaiian fishponds to see how ancestral knowledge informs nitrogen cycling research.
🧠 Practice scientific reasoning grounded in evidence rather than personal belief
Key concepts include: Hypothesis generation, nitrogen cycling, #NatureOfScience, and Indigenous knowledge in STEM.
Tips for Teachers: Christine recommends teaching this over two class periods for grades 6–10. It’s an ideal start of the year lesson to set the tone for scientific inquiry!
Download the lesson plan and watch the film on our website with a free educator account: 👉 https://lnkd.in/ehzRYwFD
#BiologyTeachers #ScienceEducation #STEMEducation #IndigenousSTEM #Ecology #ScientificMethod
