Experiences

Domino effect

Teresa Bella i Nicolás

Spain

High Secondary School

Chemistry, Physics

Teaching in class, Laboratory

Direct

Main difficult in learning or teaching science at school.

• Lack of autonomy and skills.
• Difficulties in the application of theoretical concepts in solving practical problems.
• Ignorance of the Hypothetico-deductive method.


The experience has been conducted in an elective. The age of the students was 16 years. It was a small group and motivated students. The objective of the course was to know and apply the scientific method. To this end, students conducted a series of small projects or practices along the way. Students had to submit a report each practice according to international standards.
Students could remake the report to improve your note. So, they applied the knowledge and new skills to their previous work.
Each of the practices impinged specially in some stage of the scientific method while the report had to develop them. The reports should contain the following points:
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Objectives
• Hypothesis
• Materials
• Experimental Design
• Procedure and analysis
• Conclusions
• Bibliography

Among the practices is "The experimental study of the domino effect." The objective was to determine which variable depended the speed of effect. To do this it was necessary to formulate hypotheses and design experiments (control of the variables).
The practices were close to the experience of the student.

If applicable, please try to highlight how the chosen solution increased the interest of the student towards science.

This way of working by projects and putting their theoretical knowledge into practice increases motivation of students, their skills and makes students learn more.
The final grade depended mostly middle note of the reports. This way of assessing the student was constantly improve their work and learn from their own mistakes. If a student’s reports improved according to the instructions of the teacher, he could get the highest score.