LibGuides: Secondary Science Resources: Phenomena Based Instruction

What is Phenomena Based Instruction?

A phenomenon is simply an observable event. In the science classroom a carefully chosen phenomenon can drive student inquiry. Phenomena add relevance to the science classroom showing students science in their own world. A good phenomenon is observable, interesting, complex, and aligned to the appropriate standard.

Instructor Recommended Resource

Ambitious Science Teaching by Mark Windschitl; Jessica Thompson; Melissa Braaten
Publication Date: 2018-04-03

Ambitious Science Teaching outlines a powerful framework for science teaching to ensure that instruction is rigorous and equitable for students from all backgrounds. The book is organized around four sets of core teaching practices: planning for engagement with big ideas; eliciting student thinking; supporting changes in students' thinking; and drawing together evidence-based explanations. Discussion of each practice includes tools and routines that teachers can use to support students' participation, transcripts of actual student-teacher dialogue and descriptions of teachers' thinking as it unfolds, and examples of student work.

Phenomena Based Instruction Resources

Environmental Injustice in Chicago
This articles illustrates a Social Justice infused approach to Phenomena Based Instruction. It is an interdisciplinary journey through the history and science behind environmental injustice and racism in Chicago.
NGSS: Phenomena
This collection of resources from NGSS were developed for educators, and describes how phenomena can be used in NGSS classrooms to drive teaching and learning.
Teaching with Phenomena
Incorporating phenomena in your instruction can be daunting at first - that is why this site exists! This page is an ever-expanding source of phenomena-based materials for you to use with your students. While these materials range in topic, we hope that sharing these will help educators nationally who are working hard to create equitable opportunities for ALL students in science.
Phenomena Classroom Resources
BioInteractive resources reflect current knowledge of how students learn and use evidence-based strategies for supporting equitable access to science. It offers story-driven videos featuring real scientists doing real research, and interactive media and activities using data from peer-reviewed sources.
Wonderopolis
Wonderopolis was created by the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) in 2010, and it has become one of the most popular education sites today. It is a place where natural curiosity and imagination lead to exploration and discovery in learners of all ages. Each day, they pose an intriguing question—the Wonder of the Day—and explore it in a variety of ways.
Phenomena Hub: Phenomena Databases
"Various resources are available as you identify relevant phenomena for your students. Therefore, it is essential to remember to assess the quality and effectiveness of the phenomenon. Then, collaborate with your students to design a driving question to promote inquiry around the phenomenon."

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