Learn more

Open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science.

Sign up now for tons of free lessons like this one!

Back Share
How do scientists know so much?
Back Share

How do scientists know so much?
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?

DISCUSS:

What do these two stories have in common? (What did both scientists do that was similar?)

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
Sign up now for more great lessons!
Sign up
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
# Optional Extra: Curiosity Wheel

Below is an idea for extending this activity throughout the school year by using our Curiosity Wheel .

Teaching virtually this semester? Check out our distance learning-friendly version!

 

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
# Curiosity Spinner: Part 1 Click the wheel to select an object. Then go to the next slide.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
# Discover New Things: Part 2 Choose a way of looking at the object! This is what scientists do!
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grades K-5

Current Events And Trending Topics

Observing & Asking Questions

Activity Prep

Print Prep

In this mini-lesson, students deepen their understanding of two foundational scientific practices: making observations and asking questions. In the activity, Curiosity Challenge, students “train their brains” by observing an everyday object and asking questions like a scientist would.

Preview activity
Number of students:
Curiosity Question (Grades K-2) printout Print 30 copies
Wonder Journal (Grades 3-5) printout Print 30 copies
Wonder Journal (Grades K-2) printout Print 30 copies
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

This activity can be repeated throughout the year with any object to help focus student observations, spark curiosity, and invite questions for deeper understanding!

Interested in extending this lesson? Check out our "Curiosity Wheel" in the Extensions to extend this activity throughout the school year!

Exploration

10 mins

Hands-On Activity

20 mins

Grades K-5

Current Events And Trending Topics

Observing & Asking Questions

Slow internet or video problems?
Credits