A good question is an effective hook to start a discussion. Linking what your students currently enjoy discussing to the science topic that you would like them to consider is a great way of getting them talking.
A good question should be:
Personal: What are your students interested in and how can you link their interests to the topic? Could you link the discussion topic to what has been happening in your local area?
Current: Is the topic being reported by the media? Are your students familiar with it?
Provocative: Do your students have strong feelings about the topic?
Here are some examples:
- Do boys pollute more than girls?
- Would you wear second-hand pants to save the Earth?
- Can evolution take us to perfection?
- Is it healthier to be underfed or overfed?
- If rain forests are under threat why can't we just clone some more?
How to use the Powerful Question generator PDF
Generate powerful questions and statements using this handout:
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- In the left-hand column take 3-4 minutes to write down a list of everything that your students are interested in. The list might include iPods, sex, celebrities, fashion, friends, sport, etc. All references should be as specific as possible, e.g. names of celebrities or TV programmes.
- In the right-hand column take 3-4 minutes to write down all the science concepts/content related to a specific topic you would like your students to discuss e.g. climate change, renewable energy sources, carbon footprint, food miles, etc.
- Turn the lists upside down, pick up a pen and close your eyes.
- Now draw three or four lines connecting the two lists. Ask someone to help you not to draw on yourself. (This method produces much more interesting results than simply choosing consciously.)
- Turn the paper the right way up to see what connections you have made.
- Use the connections to generate powerful questions using the connections that you have made. For instance fashion and recycling could become – "Would you wear second-hand pants to save the Earth?"