Sep

Teaching Science Using Discrepant Events to Engage Students

When I was teaching one of my students’ favorite events in science was when they would be challenged with discrepant events. So what are discrepant events?

It is something that surprises, startles, puzzles, or astonishes the students as they observe the event.

Often, a discrepant event is one that does not appear to follow basic “rules of nature” and the outcome of a discrepant event is unexpected or contrary to what they predicted.

The event throws the students “off balance” intellectually, which typically motivates them to further investigate the science concept.

Discrepant events promote problem-solving and critical thinking skills on part of the students. They are typically guided into finding a solution by the teacher, as they discover the reason for the discrepant event. Using Animal Tracks as a Discrepant Event

How I Used Discrepant Events

I would guide the students to the answers using open ended questions to cause my students to pull upon their prior knowledge and experiences.

I would use discrepant events to begin a new unit or as part of a culmination event to reinforce the science concept(s) the students were studying.

I would present some discrepant events as whole class demonstrations. However, I would try to make them into group investigations as much as possible.

How are Discrepant Events Used

Discrepant events can be used:

To engage students in inquiry
As a demonstration followed by discussion to introduce a new topic
To engage students in science processes skills
As a small group lab activity
As a mind-on warm-up to stimulate critical thinking
As a take home lab activity
As a challenge for students to create investigative lab activities to find out more about the event