Making Sense of Significant Numbers

Non science majors are asked to measure the surface area of an ornamental pond on a college campus. With little direction (using an open inquiry method), students were placed into groups of... See More

Non science majors are asked to measure the surface area of an ornamental pond on a college campus. With little direction (using an open inquiry method), students were placed into groups of three to five students before going outside to determine the area of the pond. Each group took notes on how they worked out their strategies to measure the pond’s surface area. When they returned with their group results, the class discussion that ensued highlighted how an open inquiry creates a learning environment that more closely resembles how real scientists conduct their work. In the process, according to the authors, students developed a better understanding of basic statistics, significant figures, and how scientific knowledge is a constructed model of reality. I really liked how some of the instructor’s questions helped students better understand the importance of looking at their use of significant figures as they analyzed their data. The lesson seemed to be one that could be used from grades eight up through college level.

Inquiry and NOS in one lesson

The authors describe a sample lesson in an inquiry science course for non- majors. In this lesson, the students have to develop a strategy and perform a task, in this case, measure a pond. T... See More

The authors describe a sample lesson in an inquiry science course for non- majors. In this lesson, the students have to develop a strategy and perform a task, in this case, measure a pond. The follow-up discussion helps students to understand the use of statistics in science and the nature of uncertainty in measurement. While not all courses have time to measure a pond - the idea, providing students with an open-ended task and helping them to discover the meaning behind it and in the process the idea that science is not certain but provides models and explanations is a lesson for any grade level.