HR: 1330h
AN: ED22B-1233    [PDF]
TI: Devious Lies: Adventures in Freelance Science Outreach
AU: * Fatland, D R
EM: fatland@vexcel.com
AF: Vexcel Corporation, 4909 Nautilus Ct Suite 133, Boulder, CO 80301 United States
AB: Observations are given from two freelance science outreach projects undertaken by the author: Tutoring at-risk secondary students and teaching astronomy to 5th-7th graders in a camp retreat environment. Two recurring thematic challenges in these experiences are considered: First the 'Misperception Problem', the institutionalized chasm between the process of doing science and K-12 science education (wherein science is often portrayed as something distant and inaccessible, while ironically children are necessarily excellent scientists). And second the 'Engagement Problem', engaging a student's attention and energy by matching teaching material and--more importantly--teaching techniques to the student's state of development. The objective of this work is twofold: To learn how to address these two challenges and to empower the students in a manner independent of the scientific content of any particular subject. An underlying hypothesis is that confidence to problem solve (a desirable life-skill) can be made more accessible through a combination of problem solving by the student and seeing how others have solved seemingly impossible problems. This hypothesis (or agenda) compels an emphasis on critical thinking and raises the dilemma of reconciling non-directed teaching with very pointed conclusions about the verity of pseudo-science and ideas prevalent about science in popular culture. An interesting pedagogical found-object in this regard is the useful 'devious lie' which can encourage a student to question the assumption that the teacher (and by extension any professed expert) has the right answers.
DE: 6250 Moon (1221)
DE: 6605 Education
DE: 7599 General or miscellaneous
DE: 7899 General or miscellaneous
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting