Student -created and Student-designed Scientific Research
Stacey Reed, Green Street Academy, Baltimore City Public Schools System.
How do you solve problems and answer questions? One of the courses that I teach is Introduction to Scientific Research. Throughout the course, students identify problems and questions that they want to answer. Through the scientific research process, students create solutions to problems and answer these questions. As a culminating project, students create, design, and conduct their own action projects. Wipebook Flipcharts help to keep students organized while they brainstorm topics of interest and problems that they would like to solve, connect and collaborate with their classmates, keep track of their progress, and provide examples.
Brainstorming to Engagement
Brainstorming is a key step for my students’ success with their projects. For this activity, students brainstormed individually to begin thinking what they would like to do for their final project. A list of all of their ideas was generated on the Wipebook Flipcharts. For students that had a lot of ideas, they were able to narrow on a topic after discussion with their classmates. Students that had difficulty thinking of a topic were inspired by their classmate’s thoughts. After creating a class list, students identified others that would be interested in the same topic. Connecting and collaborating with others is an important part of the scientific research process. By identifying the topics and their potential partners themselves, students are engaged and taking ownership of their learning.
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Keeping Track
It can be hard to keep track of next steps and due dates. I created an agenda on a Wipebook Flipcharts sheet that became my Zoom background. As due dates approached, I could change the focus of the sections showing. Students were able to be reminded of the next steps and due dates during every session.
By creating this agenda on Wipebook Flipcharts, I was able to take the needed picture and then erase so the sheet could be used for examples. I love saving paper and Wipebook Flipcharts are so easy to erase and use again!
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Examples
Students often need visual examples. For some, seeing those examples drawn in real-time and discussing each step is the best method. Wipebook Flipcharts is the best for this! With two different sides (one blank and one grid), I can choose the side that works best for the type of example needed.
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Wipebook Flipcharts has helped me keep my students collaborating, brainstorming, keep track of due dates and next steps, and provide real-time examples. Though I have been using Wipebook Flipcharts virtually, I am excited to start using the Wipebook Flipcharts when we begin in-person instruction! Students will be able to take temporary notes, brainstorm, sketch, practice, and so much more!
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