Chapter 3

Oxford Institute for Environmental Education – Question Posing Activity – Day 1

time	action
9:50	Introduction to investigating. Relationship of hypotheses, questions and predictions.
10:20	Divide participants into 5 groups, each with a Lead Ecologist or Lead Teacher, and give them their task: Observe the organisms present in your area. This can include the organisms’ behavior and movement, and also signs of organisms such as tracks, fecal material, homes, etc. Observe interactions and potential interactions of organisms with their environment. Besides organisms, observe the physical environments, noting differences, characteristics, extremes, etc. As your group makes observations, you should begin to ask questions about your observations. Who ate this leaf? Are the different patterns of herbivory indicative of different herbivores? Do roly polies prefer dark habitats to those exposed to light? What kinds of insect pollinates this flower and why? You should be prepared to share your two “best questions” when you return to the classroom.
10:30	In schoolyard or other outdoor site, assign each group an area to study. Lead Ecologist’s Comment: This went beautifully. The groups were fully engaged. The Lead Ecologists/Teachers stimulated observations and ideas, but did not dominate the groups. The teachers worked together well.
10:45	Report questions on large paper.
later	Type up questions Lead Ecologist’s Comment: This became a resource for our “think tank”
even later	Discuss questions in relation to potential inquiries teachers could develop

Summary of outdoor observations and questions generated.

Why are young puff balls white?

The pine tree has an “ookey spot,” along with some red ants. Is this a symptom of some sort of pine tee disease?

What makes holes in pine trees? Do the holes contain egg causes? Are they also found on other trees?

Why are there different colors on the tops of mosses and lichens? Do the colors change as they grow?

Pine seedlings all seem to be the same height? Why?

Why are fungi found only in certain areas? What made the hole in the cap of the yellow fungus? Is it poisonous?

Why are mosses found only in one area of our habitat?

Why did the large tree die?

How does the cat brier grow when the tree did not? How did it root in the old tree?

Can the plastic six-pack holder decompose? How long does it take?

Why are some daddy long legs larger or smaller than others? What do they eat?

What ate the grape vine leaf?

Why do inch worms behave so weirdly?

Why do inch worms stop moving entirely at times?