Testimonial from Lisa Jensen
For Lisa Jensen, a teacher at Blackridge Elementary in Jordan School District, Research Quest has been a highly interactive and collaborative way to enhance her classroom learning.
Lisa notes, “Research Quest was a great, interactive, collaborative program that helped solidify the concepts that I taught in class. Students were given a phenomenon and problems in the Uinta Mountains (that made the connection real because that is our backyard), and they had to work together in order to make sure they could help the ecosystem thrive.”
Lisa used the “How is energy transfer and matter cycling affected in a changing ecosystem?” investigation to help students explore how ecosystems respond to environmental change. The real-world setting of the Uinta Mountains made the lesson feel close to home, helping students connect what they learned in class to the environment around them.
Hands-On Learning and Real-World Connections
One of the most valuable aspects of this investigation, according to Lisa, was how it encouraged collaboration and critical thinking.
“Students had to work together to move onto the next phase and get information that would help them build upon prior knowledge. They filled out a knowledge journal and used it to help solve the phenomenon,” she explained.
Lisa also appreciated how Research Quest activities mirrored real-world scientific and testing experiences. “Research Quest gave my students an opportunity that mimicked the Utah RISE test, where they had to answer different questions by reading passages, watching movies, and then taking that information and using it to fill in charts and test different trials. This helped them become confident in navigating computers and trying different options to see what would work in the different situations.”
Engaging, Collaborative, and Confidence-Building
The impact was clear—students were deeply engaged and excited to keep learning.
“My students were HIGHLY engaged and wanted to continue working on this specific quest. They kept talking about it the next day and couldn't wait to get back onto the computers and finish the next part.”
Inspiring Future Scientists
Lisa’s experience shows how Research Quest turns classrooms into dynamic spaces for discovery. Through investigations like “How is energy transfer and matter cycling affected in a changing ecosystem?” students strengthen their teamwork, critical thinking, and digital navigation skills—all while exploring the fascinating science of ecosystems. As Lisa puts it, “I can’t wait to use it throughout the school year to not only increase knowledge but give my students a chance to work together and practice for end-of-year testing.”
Research Quest is a program of the Natural History Museum of Utah in partnership with The Utah Education Network
