Week 6: The Power of Collaboration
Teamwork fuels shared success.
Objective: Students will explore the importance of collaboration and learn how teamwork and diverse perspectives contribute to success in science and beyond.Why It Matters
Science—and life—are rarely solo journeys. Collaboration allows us to combine strengths, learn from others, and tackle challenges more effectively. By understanding the value of teamwork, students can build skills that foster better communication, creative problem-solving, and shared success.
Main Activities
Class Discussion: What Makes a Great Team?- Start with an open-ended question: "What qualities make a great team?"
- Facilitate a discussion to explore:
- The importance of listening to others, such as in group projects where one member’s insight can lead to breakthroughs.
- How different perspectives can lead to better solutions, for example, when a team of engineers brainstorms multiple designs for an eco-friendly building.
- How science relies on collaboration, like the teamwork required to send a rover to Mars or the coordinated efforts in global vaccine development.
- Facilitate a discussion to explore:
Example prompt: "Can you think of a time when working with someone else made a task easier or more fun?"
How to Communicate Effectively with Your Team
- Discuss the importance of clear and positive communication in teamwork.
- Share examples of edifying phrases students can use to support their teammates:
- "What do you think about this idea?"
- "That’s an interesting point. Let’s explore it more."
- "I like where you’re going with this. How can we expand on it?"
- "I see your perspective. Let’s find a way to combine it with other ideas."
- "Thanks for sharing that! Let’s see how we can use it."
- Activity: Role-play scenarios where students practice using these phrases in different teamwork situations, such as resolving disagreements or brainstorming ideas.
Collaboration in Action: Team Problem-Solving Challenge
- Divide students into small groups and present them with a collaborative challenge. Example challenges:
- Build the tallest tower using only spaghetti and marshmallows.
- Solve a simple STEM-related puzzle as a team.
- Design a prototype for a tool to solve a classroom problem (e.g., organizing supplies).
- While students work, observe how they communicate and share ideas
Reflection: What Did We Learn About Teamwork?
- Bring the class back together to reflect on their experiences. Use prompts like:
- "What was your favorite part of working as a team?"
- "What challenges did your group face, and how did you solve them?"
- "How do you think collaboration helped improve your group’s solution?"
Mindset Mantra
"Together, we can achieve more."Teacher’s Note
- Reinforce that collaboration isn’t just about dividing tasks—it’s about listening, supporting, and valuing everyone’s input.
- Share examples of famous scientific teams (e.g., the Apollo 11 crew, the discovery of DNA’s double helix).
- Encourage journaling prompts for reflection:
- "What role do I play on a team?"
- "How can I improve my collaboration skills?"
- "What is one thing I learned from someone else this week?"
- Expansion on Leadership Roles
Optional Visual
Create a poster or chart titled "Keys to Successful Collaboration" with student input during the class discussion.
Coming Soon: Collaboration in Action
We’re excited to bring you an exclusive interview with a professor or student at Purdue University to share real-world insights on the importance of collaboration in science. Stay tuned to hear firsthand stories about how teamwork leads to groundbreaking discoveries and innovative solutions.
Acknowledgment:
This lesson plan was developed collaboratively with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, blending expert insights with creative tools to support educators in fostering growth mindset concepts in the classroom.