Learning About Research, Technology, and the
Nature of Science
Anne Bowen, Science Education Student, Curry School of Education, UVa
Would you like to spark your students' natural curiosity while teaching them authentic research skills and essential knowledge about the nature of science and the use of technology?
This website is designed as a resource for biology and ecology teachers. Described is a classroom research project that involves students in an observational study in which they make careful observations on the life cycle of the Painted Lady butterfly.
Students capture the metamorphosis in journal records and with digital cameras and microscopes. Challenge them to capture processes they've never seen (i.e., a caterpillar turning into a chrysalis) with time-lapse photography!
This project is enjoyable, relatively inexpensive, and dynamic. I implemented this project in a high school biology class, but it can be easily adapted for middle and elementary school. Much of what I describe could be altered to best fit your teaching environment. Enjoy the site, and happy butterflying!
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A special thank you to:
Randy Bell, for his editing advice on this website project and for sparking the idea for this classroom research project;
Starrie Williamson, who offered her time and expertise to consult with me on website formatting;
Beverly Otis, my clinical instructor who provided time, resources, and guidance to complete this project in the classroom, and
Southwest Texas State University's Science/Math/Technology Education Institute, for providing funding that was used to implement research in the classroom.
