Improving Chemistry Instruction via the 5-E Learning Model: Inventing, Adapting and Incorporating the First “E

Abstract

The following is a compilation of engage activities will prove useful to science teachers. Students always ask “can you blow something up?” While a valid plan, there has to be some planning by the teacher. This compilation will provide teachers a resource to engage students through a variety of modes to increase student engagement and learning. Students in any classroom have an innate ability to “zone out.” With an engage activity at the beginning of a new concept causes students to wonder, ask questions, observe and obtain motivation to learn. The “wow” factor and time to wonder helps engage student in chemistry content they are about to be taught. Students with more awareness are more likely to learn a concept, ask questions and pay attention to what is going on in the classroom and therefore learn more about the concept. Giving students an opportunity to wonder about a concept before they are taught how it works can benefit students by talking with peers to develop a sense of community. The goal of this project is to motivate students within chemistry classrooms to want to learn, be excited to come to class, engage in discussion surrounding concepts and feel comfortable asking questions. Providing engage activities has been shown to help with all of these factors. Engage activities also provide students with the opportunity to see and experience activities that would otherwise be too expensive or dangerous. It also can help students to see the real world connection to chemistry.