Ideas for Common Challenges

Q: How do I get kids to find a passionate question?

A: This is often the first and biggest challenge facing SQ teams. The first stage in the I-search process provides the tools needed for finding the passionate question: do experiments, take field trips, talk to experts, read information. Be sure the kids do hands-on activities as well as look on the Internet. When they express interest in a topic, ask them questions to focus their interest:

• How does it work?
• Why does that happen?
• Do you know other examples of this?
• What else would you like to know about this?

The questions will vary depending on the area of interest. Find a way to record what the kids say on the computer with photos or documents with photos.

Q: What do I do when kids don't show up?

A: Building relationships with the kids is key to keeping them coming and learning. Remember that you have to compete against many other interests! First, be on time yourself, be prepared, and show your own interest in and commitment to them. Second, give the kids a call the day before, reminding them of the SQ time. Third, provide a snack that the kids like!
If kids begin to skip despite your preventative measures, then you can talk directly to the kid and talk to your center director to figure out what is going on. Deal with each situation individually. Is there a way that whatever the kid prefers to do can become a SQ project? Does he or she have too many other obligations this semester?

Q: Everybody tells me to 'be prepared before each session.' What does that mean specifically?

A: Here is a common checklist of things to prepare:

• What stage are we at in the I-Search process? Are we ready to move on?
  
• What is my goal for today's session? How do I plan to meet that goal?
  
• Have I called all the kids to remind them to come?
  
• Do I have a plan to fill the entire time? A strategy if the kids seem to be bored? An alternative to the Internet in case it is not working?

Q: My group already knows their topic. Do we still need to waste time in
Phase 1: Immerse in Science?

A: Great! Your team has interests that they already are excited about. You still need to spend some time doing immersion activities so that team members can solidify their interests and so that they can begin to discover their questions within their topic.

Q: I read the sample activities from ScienceQuest, but I am not sure how to facilitate them.

A: Facilitation does not need to be complicated. You can choose three activities that you think the kids will like, and introduce them one at a time. Explain what it is, and then instruct them in each step. Watch what they do easily and what is more difficult. For most activities invite them to do the main steps, and let them know that you will help if they need help. When you are finished, talk about what they noticed, what they did that was new or different, and to list questions they have about what they experienced. One coach had three science-oriented toys: magnets, a yo-yo, and a prism. She gave one to each child and invited them to learn about it and share what they learned with the others after 4 minutes.

Even a field trip does not have to be fancy. One coach took advantage of a nice winter day to walk around the block. Each kid drew pictures and took notes about any animal they saw or detected (footprints, droppings, etc). Back in the computer lab, they talked about what they saw, and wrote down questions and observations.
If you have other questions, you can call your site coordinator for assistance or the ScienceQuest help desk.

Q: What do I do when the kids on my team can't agree on a topic?

A: While we would love every SQ team to do a joint project on a single topic, sometimes the interests are too divergent and the kids' interest is too strong to let go. Celebrate their passion-it's great that they have an idea they don't want to let go of. Then, work together to find a unifying theme. If there is no unifying theme, build an eclectic web site! Try to do a field trip that addresses each interest and have the kids agree to participate in all field trips to learn about each others' topic.

Q: Our Internet service is slow and unreliable. What should I do?

A: Slow Internet service is a pain, and there is no way around the need for you to be more creative and perhaps invest a little more time. Focus your time in two areas: first, if you have outside access to better Internet service, do some surfing yourself and find the URLs that you want the kids to use. Then they can go directly to the site and save some searching time. Second, with some creative planning you can develop a rich array of experiences for the team, including local field trips and bringing in table-top experiments the kids can do. If you are close to the web site building stage, the kids can design the pages without being on the Internet at all.

Q: How do I know if we are finished with Phase 1: Immerse in Science?

A: Phase one is immersion in activities and finding a passionate question. If the team has ventured out of the lab for at least one formal or informal field trip, done at least two hands-on activities, documented the activities you have done and the team has agreed on a question, then you are done!

Read entire checklist for Phase 1: Immerse in Science.