By Mackenzie Pryor
To be successful in science, curiosity is essential. Scientists constantly ask questions, make observations, and find creative ways to solve problems. At Wolcott, we strive to cultivate this curiosity so students grow into confident, capable scientists both in school and beyond. To lean into this curiosity, especially at an age where it is fleeting, students must feel engaged and connected with their learning. We prioritize inquiry and hands-on learning as methods to keep students engaged while building the essential skills they need for their next level of science.
Laboratory Experiments:
Authentic scientific experiences are central to our program, most often taking the form of labs. There are two types of labs we implement at Wolcott.
The first is a traditional lab in which students first learn core content and then conduct labs that demonstrate the concept, allowing them to physically engage with what they are learning. Students practice following procedures carefully and precisely while gaining exposure to a variety of methods and equipment. This hands-on, experiential learning fosters curiosity and a sense of discovery as students collect and analyze data. Examples include elastic and inelastic collisions in physics, pGlo bacterial transformation in biology, and a density cube challenge in chemistry.
Another type of lab we implement is an inquiry lab, where students are presented with a guiding question and are responsible for designing their own procedures to test it. Different groups often come up with unique ways to test this question, but ultimately arrive at the same conclusion. This process allows students to discover concepts for themselves, making the learning more memorable than a traditional lecture. Examples include osmosis investigations in biology, organic fuel energy analysis in environmental science, and activity series experiments in advanced chemistry honors.
Additional Engagement Strategies:
Labs are the backbone of Wolcott science, but not every day is a lab day. On the days we do not have labs, students engage in hands-on and active activities that continue to provide authentic learning experiences.
Demos are a great way to give students a snapshot of a phenomena. We do demos for two main reasons: to allow students to practice making specific observations and to cultivate their curiosity by having them state what they wonder. These observations and questions guide students in their learning and are used as anchoring experiences as we further explore a concept. For instance, physics classes observe demos related to action and reaction forces, biology classes observe demos related to carbon absorption and photosynthesis, and chemistry classes observe demos related to lab safety with sulfuric acid and acetone.
Simulations are another way students remain active in science classes. When real-time observation is not possible, simulations scale down large or lengthy processes. These kinesthetic models turn abstract ideas into physical actions, helping students grasp invisible concepts while staying actively engaged. This strategy is utilized in biology for ecology and natural selection and during coding practice in robotics.
Card sorts provide students with a tactile way to practice concepts. These feel like puzzles and get students thinking deeper about additional applications of the concept. Card sorts help students analyze relationships, practice vocabulary, and communicate collaboratively. This strategy is utilized in chemistry classes to support classification of matter and in biology classes to discover the structure of DNA.
College-Readiness Experiences:
Finally, engagement is greatly impacted if students are given experiences that challenge them and mirror college-level science. Our expert faculty have adapted advanced labs to include strong support to prepare students for future studies. Advanced chemistry honors students investigate electrochemistry by using their knowledge of reduction potentials to design galvanic cells to reach a target voltage. Advanced biology honors students contribute data to ongoing scientific research through the Wolbachia Project, in which students conduct an entire DNA analysis from extraction to bioinformatics. Advanced physics honors students investigate and derive kinematic models for two-dimensional motion through the analysis of launched projectiles outside the school building.
In addition, our state-of-the-art laboratories include professional-grade equipment such as micropipettes, miniPCRs, gel electrophoresis chambers, Vernier data visualization tools, buret setups, and column chromatography systems. Students become proficient in performing experiments with these materials and gain confidence in using them in novel situations beyond high school.
These strategies keep science engaging, meaningful, and, of course, fun. Wolcott teachers are committed to helping students master concepts, communicate their understanding, and experience the excitement of discovery. Science may feel like magic, but it is real, and through their experiences at Wolcott, we hope students not only feel the magic, but also gain the confidence and skills to make a difference as scientists beyond high school.
