Serendip Studio

Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Strawberry Fields (DNA) Forever

Submitted by RecycleJack Marine on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 2:33pm

OK, Mr. Franklin, I missed your strawberry DNA extraction. It's not that I don't find this an interesting subject, it's just that "something got in the way" this morning. I do wonder if my genes or my influence will have an altering effect on my children's habits and behaviors over the course of their lives. I know that my DNA gave both of my teenagers their flat (large) feet and curled toes. I know that my wife's DNA gave our son Max his blue eyes and our daughter Dakota has my brown eyes. Max has recently found new ways to "harness" his appearance to perpetuate an attractiveness to the opposite sex. Is that because of different body shapes originating from our combined (my wife's and my) DNA?

Literacy and the Web

Submitted by Paul Grobstein on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 1:07pm

Interesting article on the front page of the NYTimes this past Sunday, on the web and the "literacy debate."

First half of SaI

Submitted by LuisanaT on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 12:30am

This years Science as Inquiry (SaI) institute so far has been a valuable experience for the participating teachers in many ways. There is a good balance of discussion and constructive work each day which thoroughly engages everyone involved and also accommodates nicely to everyone’s different interests and/or hopes of the institute.

Similarities and Differences

Great work so far. By Friday it was more clear to me how inquiry is common to all human understanding/exploration/generation of meaning. Each domain can be characterized by a process of inquiry that continues to give birth to revised and novel stories, some about ourselves, our emotions our hopes and fears, some about the external material world that we live in as well as stories about our emotions, hopes and fears. Many comments to this effect in the online forum as well.

But what about the differences between the Humanities and the Sciences.

Inquiry Ins 08 Thoughts Week 1

Submitted by jrlewis on Sun, 07/27/2008 - 3:25pm

I think the Inquiry Institute is off to a wonderful start. The participants are excited and engaged everyday. The teachers are easily connecting with one another. Already they have produced some amazing collaborative pieces, including lesson plans for use at multiple levels.

The casual structure of the institute allows teachers to interact with the material presented according to their own interests. Wil often wanders the room engaging individuals in debate about the morning’s topics. There are ample opportunities for the participants to reflect on incorporating inquiry into their own pedagogical practices.

The Three Doors of Serendip

Making Sense of Understanding:
The Three Doors of Serendip

Door images from Woodstone

Judith's Watershed Presentation

Submitted by Barbara Kauffman on Fri, 07/25/2008 - 7:41pm

Submitted by Barbara Kauffman on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 2:04pm.

It was refreshing to hear about the environmental learning that goes on inside (and outside) Judith Odom's classes in Chester High School. My co-worker, Tola Oronti & I have covered some of the basic concepts that Judith offered her 8th graders in our SDP Land & Water unit. Our students & I were especially enthusiastic about working in cooperative groups. We have a spiraling curriculum and students can build on their learning more and more each year.