Ideas for Common Challenges

Q: Where else can we find information aside from the Internet?

A: Even though you are in a computer center, you have lots of resources to choose from! Most centers are near a library, or you can find books and videos and bring them back. Getting out of the lab to the local park, a business or a museum can add enormous inspiration to team's work. The Internet itself includes lots of ways to find information: reading, looking at pictures, listening to audio or watching video, playing games and taking quizzes or even emailing scientists or experts in other locations.

Make certain to include something from each category: Read, Watch, Ask, and Do.

Q: Is asking the team to "look on the Internet" specific enough for our plan?

A: Probably not. You might want to ask each team member to find one specific site that looks like it will be a good source. Take a few minutes and give a mini-lesson on directories such as Yahooligans.com (a search engine and directory for kids) or HotBot.com. As the coach, you might want to supplement these sources with others that you find on your own. Challenge team members to find sites that will inspire them to participate in activities in the "Read, Watch, Ask and Do" categories.

Q: How do I know if we are done with Phase 2: Make a Plan?

A: In this phase, your team will make a plan for finding answers to your passionate questions. If all team members know how they will contribute to researching their questions, identified sources in the "Read, Watch, Ask and Do" categories, and copied their plans into journals, then your team is ready to move on!

Read entire checklist for Phase 2: Make a Plan.