Inquiry at the Botanical Gardens: Practicing Science Processes during a Field Trip to the <Blinded> Zoo

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Tom J. McConnell
Tolly Foster
Michele Schilten

Abstract

Field trips offer excellent learning opportunities, but teachers often think of them as informal experiences to teach concepts and content. But it is possible to structure science lessons at sites like zoos, aquariums and museums as an inquiry activity. Using the NRC (2000) definition of inquiry and the Indiana Academic Standards list of process standards (IDOE 2016), facilitators at the BLINDED ACADEMY developed the Plant Adaptations Inquiry lesson.  This activity lets learners hypothesize, observe, analyze data and construct conclusions about the types of plant adaptations seen in plants from different ecosystems. The observations, including the use of technology to use photographs, were recorded on the grounds of the BLINDED Gardens and the BLINDED Zoo. This article explains the design of the lesson and alignment with state and national standards. Readers can download a version of the lesson and rubric.

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Author Biographies

Tom J. McConnell, Ball State University

Associate Professor, Department of Biology

 

Tolly Foster, Indianapolis Zoo

Education Programs Manager, Indianapolis Zoo

Michele Schilten, Indianapolis Zoo

Director of Education, Indianapolis Zoo