Putting the pieces together

Asking questions like a scientist is something Kimberly Burgard’s 8th graders were able to experience with the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program’s Geology activity Puzzling Evidence.

Burgard, who teaches at Lakeside Junior High, used the lesson as part of a conversation on DNA, bones, and Pangea. Burgard said, “I didn’t give any reasoning as to why or how different bones of the same species could be found on different continents, but let the students puzzle out questions on their own by first looking at the paper without cutting it apart.”

Students asked about the same traits appearing on different continents. After cutting the pieces out, Burgard said they had difficulties putting them together. “Even working in pairs, there was some disagreement amongst the groups as to where each land mass was to be placed.”

Burgard explained, “I would not give them definite answers to where each mass went, and they became a little frustrated with that, wondering how do they know the “Right” answer if they have nothing to go from, such as a picture on the box of a puzzle? I explained that they had a very good question, and now they were thinking like Scientists!”

This lesson was part of the OOGEEP Geology workshop Burgard attended last summer. She appreciated the opportunity to go through the lessons herself. “The highlight of the Geology workshop was actually doing the experiments and understanding how my students would feel as they walk through the process.  When I got confused and had to ask questions, that made me really appreciate how the students get frustrated and shut down when I can’t give them a satisfactory answer.  I really thought this was an excellent program and I hope it continues for others who have yet to discover it.”