More Brain-Powered Science: Teaching and Learning With Discrepant Events

What can a chocolate chip cookie tell us about the Earth’s resources and the importance of environmental conservation? How can a clear, colorless spray solution unveil a hidden message on a blank sign? Author Thomas O’Brien uses these and 20 other inquiry-oriented discrepant events―hands-on explorations or demonstrations in which the outcomes are not what students expect―to challenge students’ preconceived ideas and urge them to critically examine the empirical evidence, draw logical inferences, and skeptically review their initial explanations with their peers. More Brain-Powered Science is the perfect dual-purpose activity book for grade 5–12 science teachers who aim to stimulate and motivate their students while expanding their own scientific understanding. Each activity will help bridge the gap between practice and theory for both students and teachers by relating conclusions to science concepts and pedagogical principles. Speaking directly to teachers, O’Brien writes: "This book is based on the assumption that just as our students learn science by experiencing, thinking, writing, discussing, and doing phenomena-based science with peers, we need similar experiences to grow as teachers of science. ... Careerlong learning with and from our students and colleagues as we engage with them in interactive, participatory, experiential learning is the hallmark of highly qualified teachers who expect and obtain the MOST from themselves (minds-on science teaching) and their students." The inquiry-based lessons and more than 80 related extension activities can serve as the framework for professional development collaborations or as a supplement to conventional preservice science teaching methods courses. Each chapter includes an introduction, an explanation of the science and science education concepts addressed, a materials list, teacher debriefing tools, safety notes, and additional internet resources. Whether used in conjunction with O’Brien’s previous book, Brain-Powered Science, or as an independent text, More Brain-Powered Science offers hours of interactive learning for teachers and students alike.

Dr. Thomas O’ Brien’ s 33 years in science education began in K– 12 schools, where he taught general, environmental, and physical sciences and high school chemistry. For the past 23 years, he has directed the preservice and inservice graduate-level science teacher– education programs of the School of Education at Binghamton University (State University of New York [SUNY]). His master’ s-level courses include Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Science Teaching, Curriculum and Teaching in Science, and Elementary Science Content and Methods. He also supervises the student teaching practica. In addition, he teaches a cross-listed doctoral/postmaster’ s educational leadership course. Concurrent with and subsequent to earning a master’ s degree and doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction/Science Education at the University of Maryland– College Park, Dr. O’ Brien served as a curriculum development specialist and Teacher’ s Guide editor on the first edition of the American Chemical Society’ s Chemistry in the Community (1988) textbook and as the coauthor of the New York Science, Technology & Society Education Project Teacher Guide (1996). As a science teacher professional development specialist, he has cotaught more than 25 summer institutes, including national programs of the Institute for Chemical Education and state and regional programs funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the New York State Education Department, among others. He has received awards for excellence in teaching and/or service from the American Chemical Society (for National Chemistry Week programs), the New York State Association of Teacher Educators, the SUNY chancellor, and the New York State Science Education Leadership Association. These grants and awards are a reflection of collaborations with university-based colleagues and what he has learned with and from the large number of K– 12 teachers he has had the privilege to serve. The Brain-Powered Science book series owes a debt of gratitude to these friends and funding agencies for the insights and opportunities they offered the author.