Day 3 of our LINCS Learner Center Round Robin

This week, the Teaching and Learning Group, as well as the Math and Numeracy groups, delved into the various uses and advantages of the LINCS Learner Center. 

Today, we're excited to explore the fascinating array of Science resources available through the LINCS Learner Center. Your participation in this conversation will be invaluable!

One of my favorite resources within the LINCS Learner Center is the "Everyday Mysteries in Science" collection published by the Library of Congress. All the questions highlighted on this platform were submitted by researchers and resolved by librarians associated with the Library's Science Reference Services. You have the option to explore mysteries categorized by topics, and the website also showcases intriguing featured mysteries. Each mystery is accompanied by the answer to the question and additional information about the topic

For example, this week's mystery : Are black-eyed peas really peas? (Don’t google it, what do you think) 🤔

In my opinion, incorporating science mysteries in the classroom offers several benefits:

  • Increases engagement and interest
  • Promotes critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Brings authenticity to the lessons; many science mysteries are grounded in real-world phenomena, making them relatable and applicable to daily life. 
  • Promotes collaboration, communication and teamwork 
  • Encourages Inquiry-Based Learning; students explore, question, and investigate to uncover explanations. This approach nurtures curiosity and a deeper understanding of scientific principles compared to rote memorization.

Visit the Science resources available through the LINCS Learner Center and discover the vast array of Science resources waiting for you in the LINCS Learner Center! Which resource resonated with your interests or left you with newfound knowledge?"

By the way,  Are black-eyed peas really peas? 

 

 

 

Comments

Without Googling, I believe that yes, black-eyed peas are peas because they are legumes, and so are peas (maybe? I do plan to google this when I am done posting my thoughts).

When I jumped into the LINCS Learner Center Science Resources, the James Webb Space Telescope Science was the first interesting thing I found. I have always been fascinated with the stars, planets, constellations, etc.  I immediately went to the observatory tab on this page and began to dive into the different components (I forget that having sun shields is so important in space - we are lucky to have our atmosphere to protect us here on Earth!)

As a teacher, I plan to ask my students to go to the Science Resources and investigate whatever pops out to them but to pick only one website (so pick with purpose). Then I would have them explore the website, and depending on time, I might have them write a short summary about what they did, where they went, what was something that they learned that they didn't know, what was something they would like to investigate further, what fun fact will they carry with them from this activity.  Then perhaps, I would have them share with each other.

Now I am off to Google!!!

 

I love teaching using mysteries to jump start a lesson! 

You grabbed my attention immediately with the black-eyed peas mystery, and all I want to do now is Google black-eyed peas. (I will resist the temptation until I finish this post.) My guess is that they are not peas. 

I've heard mysteries are like an itch that has to be scratched, and we can quickly gain students' attention by starting a lesson with a mystery. As a case in point, writer Agatha Christie's 85 mystery stories make her the second bestselling fiction writer of all time with upwards of 2 billion books sold! I have a mystery too: Who is the best selling fiction writer of all time? Take a guess and Google later.  

While looking at resources in the Learn Science part of the LINCS Learner Center, my attention was captured by the Science of Hockey site from the US National Science Foundation. (I played ice hockey as a kid.) I watched a video teaching statistics that was contextualized toward goalies' statistics in the National Hockey League. It provided a clear and engaging explanation of mean, median, and mode.

What other areas in the Learn Science section would work well with your students?

I'm off to Google black-eyed peas!

Steve Schmidt

Steve, 

No, the Black Eyed Peas are not actual peas; they are a musical group. (LOL). " Black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata) are a variety of the cowpea and are part of the family of beans & peas (Leguminosae or Fabaceae in the USA). Although called a pea, it is actually a bean. Both peas and beans are legumes, and both have edible seeds and pods. According to the Penguin Companion to Food, bean is a “term loosely applied to any legume whose seeds or pods are eaten, not classed separately as a pea or lentil.” Beans traditionally were in the genus Phaseolus, but now some of the species, including the black-eyed pea, are in the genus Vigna. Peas are in the genus Pisum."

I love this resource for integrating science into reading and digital literacy and technology.

The site covers a wide range of technology topics in a question and answer format that is easy to understand. As adult learners come from diverse backgrounds, having technological concepts explained clearly and concisely is important.

Some key benefits of using the Everyday Mysteries technology resources include:

  • Improving digital literacy - The site covers fundamental technology topics like how WiFi works, bandwidth, algorithms, and more. Discussing these can help improve students' overall digital literacy.
  • Providing real-world examples - Technology is part of daily modern life. The site uses relatable examples to explain tech concepts clearly. This practical approach helps students see how tech applies in real-world contexts.
  • Sparking interest in STEM - Demystifying technology and showing its relevance can spark students' interest in science, technology, engineering and math. The resources can supplement curriculum and inspire greater STEM engagement.
  • Encouraging self-directed learning - The site is designed for self-guided learning. This allows students to direct their own tech learning by exploring areas of interest through the resources.

With clear explanations, relatable examples and self-directed use, the Everyday Mysteries technology resources are a great supplement for enhancing tech integration in adult education settings. They can make technology less intimidating while also promoting digital literacy, STEM interest and self-guided learning. I welcome your thoughts on other ways these resources could be applied in our classroom.

 

One effective strategy for using the Learner Resource Center is to help build background knowledge in the Science content area. 

Building this knowledge will lead to improved reading comprehension.

Great discussion and tips.

Kathy

Lizelena, 

Maybe it's the millennial in me, but when I hear black eyed peas I think of the pop group from the 2000s. If I had to guess, I would say that they are not peas and that they are beans. I will need to read through the resource to see if I'm correct or not.

Mysteries are a wonderful way of fostering curiosity, which is a fundamental element of learning. I have never taken the time to explore that resource, but I will now. Though I will be teaching a writing class this spring, I can see ways of using it in the classroom for pre-writing, research, and piquing audience interest. 

The resource that interests me is https://www.ready.gov/. I work with many newly-arrived immigrants, and some have never experienced snow before. As I write this discussion board post, I have over a foot of snow on my driveway and more falling. Having a resource for learners is especially helpful. Beyond immigrant learners are our newly independent learners and returning citizens. Many people could benefit from being prepared, and it could easily be worked into lesson materials and shared as a resources with all learners.