Description

The Proof of the Pudding SAILS inquiry and assessment unit outlines an inquiry activity in which the students (plan to) prepare a "good" pudding. This can focus on biological aspects – nutrition, energy content of foods, quality of nutrients, healthy lifestyles – and chemical concepts – groups of organic compounds, colloid systems and sol gels. The close connection with everyday life and learning based on hands-on activities raise the students' interest. The three activities first introduce the topic, develop into planning and implementing an investigation and end with reflection on new knowledge. These activities can be implemented in two lessons (~90 minutes), but preparation of the pudding takes more time and may be assigned as homework. Through this activity, students develop their inquiry skills in planning investigations by distinguishing alternatives and constructing models, as well as skills in developing hypotheses, forming coherent arguments – setting variables, handling quantities, making comparisons, making judgements and decisions, analysing and critiquing experiments – and working collaboratively. The assessment opportunities described include student observation, group discussion or presentation and evaluation of student artefacts. The unit was trialled by teachers in Ireland, Slovakia, Greece and Hungary, with students aged 14-18, in five classes in total. The teaching approach in the case studies was generally that of guided inquiry (open inquiry for one Hungarian class). The assessment of planning investigations was carried out in all case studies. In Ireland, Slovakia and Greece, the assessment of forming coherent arguments and working collaboratively is also described.

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