Learning to learn lessons: discoveries and questions
Some discoveries came from a mistake or a chance event. For example, the Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming saw that mould had grown in a dish he had left behind and that the germs around it had died. From this observation came penicillin, the first antibiotic, a medicine against germs. But chance helps only an observant and curious person. Scientists first asked: “Why?” and “How?” We should not be shy to ask about what we do not understand: a question sharpens the mind. To make discoveries we are not afraid of trying and of making mistakes, but dangerous experiments (fire, chemicals, electricity) we do only with adults.
“Question basket”: children write a “Why…?” question on paper and drop it in a basket. The teacher draws one out and the class looks for an answer together (book, teacher, adults).