on Science Wizards in the Classroom

George Bernard Shaw (from "Getting Married")

Here are some quick thoughts about what you can do to make your science classroom a bit more dynamic.  I'm sure there are lots of others but these are things that I have tried and seem to work well for me.  

• Be imaginative.  Sometimes the most offbeat ideas are the ones that end up being really effective.

• Use all your showmanship to attract focus attention on what it is that you are doing.  If it appears to the students that you would rather be somewhere else, then what reason do they have to be interested.  Of course don't overboard.  Remember that the central point is the concept you are trying to demonstrate, not you.  If the students remembers your performance but nothing about the science then your (and their) time was wasted.

• When scrounging for materials be really friendly and enthusiastic, and try to explain exactly what you want and why you need it. The person you are dealing with may have something better that you hadn’t considered, or if they don’t have what you want could recommend somewhere you could find it. It’s surprising how often people give me stuff for free, and how much effort they will make to help. 

• Get to know the "other" people around your school.  For example the janitor often has useful stuff for the classroom, or tools that you can use to build you models.  The office staff can also be very handy people to know.  They often have heaps of "mis-print" paper that can be used for various purposes.  Unfortunately sometimes these people don't get to feel part of the core work of our schools - the education of students.  For the most part they are more than happy to become involved more directly.  Remember, of course, that they have their "real" jobs to do as well.

• Don’t throw anything out (but don’t tell your spouse I said that).  Often some really cool things can be made with simple left over materials. There is nothing worse that thinking, “What would be perfect right now would that thing I tossed out yesterday”.

• Talk to your colleagues about your successes and failures.  People may be able to help with improvements or new ideas, and may encourage you by using one of your ideas.  Unfortunately teaching is often a isolated practice, but it shouldn't be.  Find out what others are doing in class.  invite colleagues to come into your class to see what you are doing, and ask if you can visit others.  One of the best faculties I ever worked in had complete comfort in walking into each others classrooms at any time.  It was great.

• Your best friend is your lab technician.  They will have seen lots of different things done, and will have a few practical ideas to help make your presentation more successful.  They may also be doing some the preparation for you so you will want them to understand what it is that you are trying to do.  Also, they will probably have a better idea of what is happening in other teachers classes than you do. 

• Make sure you try everything at least once before doing it with a class.  This may save you looking foolish later, and will also help you consider any safety issues that you may not have already considered.  You may want to have a quick look at the Safety Advice Page.

• These Science Wizards are not selected with any particular age group in mind.  I am by profession a high school teacher, however many of these are very successful (if not more successful) with younger students.  I have used some of them when visiting local kindergartens and they really love it.

• Don't think that because you have a low budget or lack some equipment that you can't do many of these Science Wizards.  Often a cheap (free) alternative will work just as well.  Empty glass food jars make acceptable beakers (but not for heating experiments).  Plastic film canisters can be used as vials.  Many simple chemicals can be obtained from supermarkets, pharmacies or hardware shops.  Having taught in small schools in China and Malaysia I have discovered that there really is a whole lot you can with not much plus some imagination.