Week 8: Perseverance in Problem-Solving
Alternate Lesson for General Science Teachers
Perseverance drives discovery forward.
Objective: Students will explore strategies for staying persistent during challenging science problems by breaking tasks into smaller steps and reflecting on their problem-solving process.
Why It Matters
Science often involves tackling complex problems where the answer isn’t immediately clear. Learning how to approach challenges step-by-step helps students build resilience, critical thinking, and confidence to persist through difficulty.
As an example, imagine trying to design an experiment to test a hypothesis, but the initial results don’t make sense. This can feel frustrating, but by breaking down the experiment into smaller variables and testing each one, you can uncover where adjustments are needed. This process not only solves the immediate problem but also teaches valuable lessons about persistence and adaptability.
It’s also important to recognize when to take a brain break. Stepping away from the problem for a few moments can help clear your mind and provide a fresh perspective when you return. Teaching students to use this strategy builds their ability to manage frustration effectively and stay on track.
Main Activities
Class Discussion: The Challenges of Science Problem-Solving
- Open with a question: "What do you find most challenging about solving science problems?"
- Discuss common frustrations (e.g., interpreting data, designing experiments) and why perseverance is a key skill for scientists.
- Interpreting Data: Identifying trends or patterns that aren’t immediately obvious. Example: Analyzing data from a plant growth experiment and realizing certain outliers need further investigation.
- Designing Experiments: Ensuring variables are controlled and results are measurable. Example: Testing a hypothesis about water filtration and needing to redesign the setup multiple times to avoid contamination.
- Dealing with Unexpected Results: Adjusting methods when initial outcomes don’t align with predictions. Example: Conducting a chemical reaction and finding that external factors, like temperature, affected the results.
- These challenges teach students that persistence, refining their approach, and learning from "failure" are essential parts of scientific success. By embracing these difficulties as opportunities to grow, students can develop critical thinking and resilience that extend beyond the classroom.
Science Problem Challenge: Break It Down
- Present a science-related problem (e.g., designing an experiment to test a hypothesis or analyzing data from a simple experiment).
- Walk through a structured problem-solving process:
- Understand the problem.
- Break it into smaller tasks.
- Work step-by-step and evaluate progress.
- Reflect on what works and adjust.
- Activity: Students work individually or in groups to tackle the problem using this framework.
Reflection and Sharing
- Discuss as a class:
- "What strategies helped you solve the problem?"
- "What did you do when you felt stuck?"
- Highlight the value of persistence and iterative problem-solving in science.
- Iterative problem-solving involves testing, analyzing, and refining approaches to improve outcomes, much like the scientific method.
- For example:
- A student testing water filtration designs might refine their experiment multiple times to optimize the filter’s effectiveness.
- A biologist analyzing data from plant growth studies might adjust the environmental variables to clarify trends.
- A chemist encountering unexpected reactions might hypothesize new explanations and adjust conditions accordingly.
- This cycle of testing and refining builds resilience, enhances critical thinking, and helps students internalize that progress often comes through repeated effort.
- For example:
- Iterative problem-solving involves testing, analyzing, and refining approaches to improve outcomes, much like the scientific method.
Coming Soon: Video Insight
We’re excited to bring you an exclusive video featuring professors or students sharing their experiences with perseverance in problem-solving. Stay tuned to hear real-world stories about overcoming challenges and achieving success through persistence.
Journal Prompt
"Reflect on today’s science challenge. What steps did you take to solve the problem? How did you feel during the process, and what did you learn about perseverance?"
Mindset Mantra
"Step by step, we solve."
Teacher’s Note
- Share examples of scientific breakthroughs achieved through persistence (e.g., Marie Curie’s research on radioactivity, Thomas Edison’s lightbulb invention).
- Encourage students to approach challenges with curiosity and resilience, emphasizing that struggle is part of the learning process.
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.