SIMPLESCIENCE.NL CHALLENGING CHILDREN TO THINK, ACT AND IMPROVE

Teacher Bert Nagel

Institution Simple Science

Subjects Science

A lifelong impact on children with primary science in just a few hours. Tips and tricks and

very practical solutions are presented in this project. Could the magic of a Lego block

also be achieved with simple materials such as paper, cupboard, polystyrene and bbq

sticks? The goal of this project is to challenge children to think and to awaken their natural

curiousity. When children pick up challenges to improve results of a science investigation

it gives a fertile ground to develop their strong points which is very useful for their now

uncertain future.

THE DRIESPRONG LABORATORY – SOLVE THE PLASTIC PROBLEM

Patricia Jansen

Institution Bs. De Driesprong

Subjects Science, Sustainability

Plastics are cheap and used very often. Unfortunately plastic also is often thrown away,

which pollutes environment and oceans. Besides, plastic is made of fossil fuels, which

causes the earth’s natural resources to become depleted. In the project, which aims to

change children’s attitudes towards plastic, children in primary education learn about this

issue theoretically and practically. They learn about the impact of plastic on environment

and animals, they research about bio based plastics made of starch, they design and make

their own bio based plastics and finally exhibit their designed products.

BUILD YOUR OWN AUTOMATON!

1st teacher Saskia van der Jagt

Institution Coornhert Gymnasium

2nd teacher Martijn Hoogland

Institution Coornhert Gymnasium

Subjects Technology, Research, Maker education

During this project, secondary school students design and build their own automaton. An

automaton can be described as a machine or control mechanism designed to automatically

follow a predetermined sequence of operations. The specific task to our students is to

design an automaton that can be used as a toy by children between 1 and 4 years old.

After formulating design principles and sketching their ideas for such an automaton, the

students make computer drawings of each component. These components are cut by a

laser cutter. After building their prototype the students reflect on their design principles

and improve their design.

INVENTIVITY WITH ROBOTICA DURING PHYSICS CLASS

Kees Hooyman

Institution St. Bonifatiuscollege

Subjects Physics, Technology

Small robots are not just toys. They can be used as an educational tool. More strongly, they

can fill the gap between science and technology. Especially in a competition with other

robots participants will have to use their skills in designing and programming. These skills

are also needed for a career in science & technology. Therefore, these skills should have a

place in science education.

SCIENCE IN SPACE

1st teacher Claudia Callies

Institution Stedelijk Gymnasium Leiden

2nd teacher Christina Diehl

Institution Gymnasium Paulinum

Subjects Maths, Physics

Science in Space is an exchange programme for students aged 14-16 in which a Dutch and a

German school collaborate. Our experience with setting up this programme is summarized

in a step-by-step-plan. This general plan is illustrated with examples from the Science in

Space programme.

3D-CELL

Teacher Jolanda de Vries

Institution Damstede Lyceum

Subjects Biology

Students have to make a 3D-model of an animal cell or plant cell, with simple materials.

They have to plan, design, work together and make use of the theory and pictures in their

textbook and search for more information on the internet. They also have to define the

functions of the organelles.

CSI AT SCHOOL

Teacher Jarka Buijs

Institution St. Gregorius College

Subjects Biology

The CSI project turns students into crime scene investigators. Using their biology knowledge

and skills they have to investigate the murder of one of their teachers. They have to identify

who did it, why it was done, what the murder weapon was and when the murder took place.

This they will do by investigating insects, blood, secret notes, finger prints, urine samples

and more. The context and the mainly practical approach are appealing to the student. Their

enthusiasm combined with their imagination will make this project successful every time!

ESCAPE THE CLASSROOM

1st teacher Anne de Groot

Institution Segbroek College

2nd teacher Joris Koot

Institution Segbroek College

Subjects Biology

How cool is that to be locked up by your twisted science teacher. The only way to get out is

to use your scientific knowledge and skills. You have one hour and the clock is ticking.

In an escape classroom a group of students is trapped in a room with all kinds of scientific

puzzles. They must find clues, combine knowledge and skills that they have learned in class.

Escape classrooms can be played as preparation for an exam. The individual puzzles can be

used as activating teaching method. Anne de Groot and Joris Koot have launched a website

and give workshops to inspire teachers and to help them set up and play their own escape

classroom for any age group or subject.

PHANTOMS OR PHYSICS?

Country Spain + Netherlands

1st teacher Nuria Muñoz Molina

Institution La Inmaculada School

2nd teacher Silvio Rademaker

Institution Amadeus Lyceum Vleuten

Subjects Physics, Technology, Literature

This project focuses on ghosts, spirits and everything that has to do with the supernatural

world. Humanity has always been fascinated by spooky and paranormal happenings. For

example, already Pliny the Younger (61-112 AC) wrote about a haunted house. We have been

inspired by the writers of the Romantic period from the 19th century, where the delight for

mystery and suspense in live shows was very pronounced. Although, all of our investigation

comes directly from the field of physics which is why we have adapted it to the academic

syllabus and reproduced scientific inventions which have been developed throughout

history such as the Pepper’s Ghost effect, the bodyless talking head and many more.

SIMULATION MEETS REAL NATURE

Country Germany + Netherlands

1st teacher Christian Karus

Institution Andreas Vesalius Gymnasium

2nd teacher Tom Toebes

Institution Fontys Hogeschool Tilburg

Subjects Biology, Geography

In the gravel pit project, students at the age of 13-16 years old are looking at a nature

restoration project in a former gravel pit alongside the river Rhine. A combination of field

visits and literature studies, the students are writing a project on how the gravel pit is best

restored and what kind of nature can be expected to develop when the nature restoration

project is finished. In the project, students learn about land use, river ecosystems and

nature conservation and restoration. With the software Ecosim the studens can first adapt

the software to their scenery and then compare it with their written plannings.

SLIME MOULDS – PHYSARUM POLYCEPHALUM

Country Netherlands + United Kingdom

1st teacher Hans Mulder

Institution Jan Tinbergen College

2nd teacher David Teasdale

Institution Bolton School Boys Division

Subjects Biology, Microbiology, Microscopy

In this project students try to grow slime molds (Physarum polycephalum) on basic agar

plates. Physarum is a bright yellow giant single celled organism. It shows some intelligence

when food particles like oat flakes are provided. The enormous speed of this organism

makes it attractive for students: it moves 10 to 20 cm during one night. Students need to

learn how to make agar plates, how to work sterile, formulate good (and realistic) research

questions, interpret results, cope with disappointments and adjust their investigations.

Slime molds are relatively unknown and not a very common subject of investigation in

classroom situations.