Start your class with the same questions current scientists are asking! This post has all the background information you need to challenge your students to think about how they would approach the same questions.
NPR takes a closer look at teaching STEM in schools today.
Currently, the weather in much of our country is prohibitive for rocket launching, but several interesting projects can be done that will pique our nation’s fledging scientists’ curiosity and enthusiasm and will have them looking forward to getting outside to test their designs.
In my 30 years of teaching, one of the best indoor projects has been designing, building, and testing parachutes. This can take several days to accomplish and the students will love it. The idea is to build something that can be used later with their water rockets, but designs can be perfected inside where it is warm.
The Simple Truth: The culture of education in the classroom has shifted to teaching to a test and not curiosity.