Supporting Research Quest Educators in Person
Last month at the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology conference, educators came together to explore how Research Quest can boost students’ data literacy, scientific reasoning, and critical thinking skills. It was great to see everyone. We look forward to opportunities to visit locations near you (and don’t be shy—we love invitations).
Ready to spark some big “aha!” moments in your classroom? In this investigation, students will dive into the world of energy and matter cycling by exploring a mountain forest food web. They’ll identify the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers, and analyze how changes in the ecosystem—like the die-off of lodgepole pine trees—affect the flow of energy. Through hands-on modeling and data collection, students will develop their own explanations and predictions for what happens when ecosystems shift. It’s a perfect mix of critical thinking, real-world science, and a dash of environmental mystery! Ready to explore? Let’s get started!
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"One of the learning moments I remember most was when we discussed the food webs and the information provided on the website. Students were able to see the relationships between the organisms and the trophic levels they occupied. They learned how some organisms could belong to more than one level or group and were able to express this and apply that knowledge to previous food webs/energy pyramids we had explored."
Philadelphia, PA
Science education is constantly evolving, and innovative teachers like Paige Olson are at the forefront of implementing engaging and effective learning strategies. Ms. Olson serves as the Professional Learning Coach and Science Department Head at American Fork Junior High in Utah. With 19 years of experience as a Junior High science teacher, Paige has found a powerful tool in Research Quest to enhance her students’ learning experience.
Paige Olson has integrated Research Quest into her 7th and 8th-grade science curriculum. She uses these investigations both as extensions to her regular lessons, and as project-based learning in science classes.
“These investigations are a way to bring in local data and problems without having to leave the classroom – in some ways better than a real-world trip since we all know how junior high students can be sometimes when you let them loose in the wild,” Paige explains. (To read more, please go here.)
Watch the brief video below to get a quick introduction to the investigation: To Eat or Not To Eat?
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"It was helpful for me to do the first part of the investigation with the whole class to help students understand the expectations and how to use it. Typically, once they have done it as a whole class they are ready to work in groups and pairs" Elementary School Teacher, Salt Lake City, UT
Research Quest is a program of the Natural History Museum of Utah in partnership with The Utah Education Network
