Discrepant+Events

[|Discrepant Events]

[|Wacky Experiments]

[|Steve Spangler Site]

What is a Discrepant Event?

A Discrepant Event is something that surprises, startles, puzzles, or astonishes the observer. Often, a discrepant event is one that does not appear to follow basic “rules of nature” and the outcome of a discrepant event is unexpected or contrary to what one would have predicted. The event throws the child "off balance" intellectually which most likely will motivate them to further investigate the science concept. This strategy is often used in elementary science classes because most children feel the need to have questions answered, and there are many discrepant events that occur in the realm of scientific knowledge. This will promote problem-solving skills on part of the child. The child will be guided while finding a solution, but he or she will discover the reason for the discrepant event. Discrepant events can be used: - to engage students in inquiry - as a demonstration followed by discussion to introduce a new topic - to engage students in science processes skills - as a small group lab activity - as a mind-on warm-up to stimulate critical thinking - as a take home lab activity - as a challenge for students to create investigative lab activites to find out more about the event