The Gummy Bear Lab Meeting

Chowning et al develop a lesson, "The Gummy Bear Lab Meeting: Communication, Collaboration, and Skepticism in Science," that lets students experience these important social processes in the science classroom. Students are asked to measure how much gummy bears increase in volume after soaking in water overnight. While this activity lets teachers address hydration of polymers through the diffusion of water, the real learning comes from devising methods, discussing results, and collaboration. The teacher leads a discussion on the concepts of communication, collaboration, and skepticism, and on the importance of questioning the approaches of others. The conversation is an opportunity to emphasize class discussion norms and the importance of critiquing ideas rather than people.