Infusing The Spirit of Critical Inquiry into Science Education Garfield Gini-Newman Senior Consultant, The Critical Thinking Consortium Garfield Gini-Newman Senior Consultant, The Critical Thinking Consortium

When is someone thinking critically? A person is thinking critically only if she is attempting to assess or judge the merits of possible options in light of relevant factors or criteria. Critical thinking is criterial thinking— thinking in the face of criteria. A person is thinking critically only if she is attempting to assess or judge the merits of possible options in light of relevant factors or criteria. Critical thinking is criterial thinking— thinking in the face of criteria.

Comparing teaching methods In a critical thinking approach... In a critical thinking approach... students figure out a reasonable answer students figure out a reasonable answer we help them develop the tools to do this successfully we help them develop the tools to do this successfully In a “traditional” approach.... In a “traditional” approach.... we teach the answer we teach the answer students try to remember it students try to remember it

TC 2 Model of Critical Thinking Community of Thinkers Critical Challenges Teach and Assess the Intellectual Tools Background Knowledge Criteria for Judgment Critical Thinking Vocabulary Thinking Strategies Habits of Mind

Three Types of Questions Type 1 Type 2Type 3 What are the ingredients in Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans? What is your favourite flavour of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans? Should Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans be sold in school cafeterias? What are three common myths in science? Which science myth do you find to be the most humorous? Should scientific literacy for all learners receive greater attention in education? Identify several natural disasters that impact on the environment? Which natural disaster creates the most fear for you? Which natural disaster poses the great threat to the Ontario economy? List three types of cells.What was your favourite part of the cell unit? Given limited budgets should governments increase money devoted to cell biology research at the expense of other research? Label the parts of a microscope? Do you enjoy using microscopes during lessons? Prepare a recommendation for a client advising the best type of microscope to acquire to meet their needs.

Come up with your own examples! Type 1 Type 2Type 3 What causes people to get sick? Which illness do you most dread?

Criteria for Effective Critical Questions/Challenges q Does the question or task require reasoned judgment? (i.e., involve assessment among plausible options/possibilities based on criteria) q Is the challenge likely to be perceived as meaningful by students? q Will significant curricular understanding be uncovered as students work through the challenge? q Is the challenge focused so as to limit the required background knowledge? qDqDoes the question or task require reasoned judgment? (i.e., involve assessment among plausible options/possibilities based on criteria) qIqIs the challenge likely to be perceived as meaningful by students? qWqWill significant curricular understanding be uncovered as students work through the challenge? qIqIs the challenge focused so as to limit the required background knowledge?

Compare the health of two environments.

What are some advantages and disadvantages of electron microscopes?

Which movie, Star Trek Generations or Outbreak is a better science movie?

Compare and contrast the functions of cilium and flagellum.

Why is cell differentiation critical to the formation of tissues?

Designing Critical Challenges Critical challenges may take one of the following six forms: Critique the piece Judge the better or best Rework the piece Decode the puzzle Design to specs Perform to specs Critical challenges may take one of the following six forms: Critique the piece Judge the better or best Rework the piece Decode the puzzle Design to specs Perform to specs

Is Alice in Wonderland a powerful metaphor for science? Develop another powerful metaphor to represent the role of science in contemporary society. Interpret the passage.

16 Who is the greater genius- Einstein, Darwin, or Hawking?   An intelligence entails the ability to solve  problems or fashion products that are of  consequence in a particular cultural  setting or community.   Howard Gardner, Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice

17 Who best merits the title of scientific genius? ...an individual merits the term  genius to the extent that his or  her creative work in a domain  exerts a material effect on the  definition and delineation of the  domain...The more universal  the contribution, the more it  travels across cultures and  eras, the greater the genius.  Howard Gardner, Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice

How plausible is the science in Jurassic Park?

Plan and carry out an experiment and based on the results develop a plausible theory to explain a phenomena in everyday life.