Activity 5.1.2 An inspiring project that overcame some challenges (Core)

Watch the inspiring example of a science project that was used in a primary school: the Darwin project. 

Think about the following questions. 

• How would you describe this innovation from your point of view?
• What kind of challenges do you think this team of educators have faced while implementing and developing that project?
• What are the elements of this project that you find inspiring and that you might use to overcome some of your own challenges?

Record your answers into your Course Journal. You will come back to them again towards the end of the week.

I believe its an outstanding effort to bring children into a scientific reasoning procedure. However, I feel more in touch with Beau Lotto's approach toware scientific thinking and kids in 'Beau Lotto + Amy O'Toole: Science is for everyone, kids included',  (Lotto, 2012)

The principal challenge I believe would be how to develop the concept respecting children's essence in order that they feel themselves respected, while incorporating science in their research. The Darwin project structure seems quite complex and not very accessible in terms of interface graphic design. Almost the whole tool is dominated bay text. And while the concept and involving specialists to follow-up children's achievements seems a great idea, I still get the feeling that the Darwin project tends to go more to the adult side than to the children's world.

I really didn't find any particular element inspiring. I think the mechanic is quite complex.

Reference

Lotto, B. & O'Toole, A. (2012). Science is for everyone, kids included.  [Video archive]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/beau_lotto_amy_o_toole_science_is_for_everyone_kids_included