Phenomena Based Learning
- Marissa Wadsworth
- Oct 6, 2021
- 2 min read
Through my journey as a science educator there was quote I heard at a training that has really stuck with me. Our
instructor told us that "phenomena doesn't need to be phenomenal." For some reason that one quote really drives it home for me and helps keep me grounded while trying to plan our science units.
What is phenomena based learning?
Have you ever looked at something that has made you go "I wonder why that is....?" that very thought is the baseline for phenomena based learning. Phenomena based learning is a method used to drive student learning through discovery and inquiry in the science classroom in order for the students' to construct their own new knowledge. Our goal as a science team is in every unit have an anchoring phenomena that will drive the learning throughout a unit. The anchoring phenomena can be explored in lessons using investigative phenomena. As the students engage in the lessons they are actively constructing their new schemas while trying to make sense of the larger phenomena.
What does phenomena based learning that look like?
Let's take a look at the first unit we teach- The main NGSS objective of this unit is MS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
The anchoring phenomena for the unit is Glacier Ice Melt. This unit sets the stage for the rest of the year in science. From this unit we move into Photosynthesis and Conservation of Mass. For the unit there are many investigative phenomena's for example lava lamps (how do they work), hot air balloons (how do they work) to simple ideas like why does your cup not overflow when ice melts- we use that one to tie in sea level change.
Using phenomena in your classroom really helps to level the playing field in the classroom to give everyone a shared experience to actively build knowledge through problem solving and collaboration. Phenomena based learning supports the three dimensionality of NGSS while building on content and acquiring skills. When developing content the 5E lesson plan lends itself to phenomena based learning.
Due to the nature of phenomena based learning students are able to transfer their skills to other content areas inside and outside of the classroom.
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