Mystery Tubes and Fire Drills at Poplar Bridge

Observations in science are crucial to the development and sharing of ideas and theories. This module introduces the scientific method and focuses on the importance of making detailed observations, writing valid hypotheses, and developing and building models that support the hypotheses.

Not long after our lesson began in Ms. Vollbrecht's 4th grade class, the fire alarm sounded, and we found ourselves gathered outside in the parking lot. We used our time wisely and made qualitative and quantitative observations of and inferences about the autumnal sites and sounds around us.

One student inferred that we would be going back into the building soon, which was correct.

The mystery tubes awaited them.........

https://vimeo.com/191183192

Using toilet paper rolls, yarn, beads and other materials, the students built models of the mystery tube to test their hypotheses about the connection of the ropes. The students made many models that did not work..........

but with persistence and creativity, they ultimately made some models that did work!

We learned to go with the flow and that science can be done anywhere - even in the parking lot during a fire drill.

We learned that creativity and perseverance are key to solving problems.

We learned that toilet paper roles make excellent mystery tubes.