Equipping the Next Generation for Active Engagement in Science

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Dilemma Lessons

The definition of Dilemma is“a situation in

which a difficult choice has

to be made between two or more

alternatives,

especially equally undesirable ones” (Oxford dictionaries, 2015)

Source: Dilemma | Flickr

A Dilemma in Science Education, means socio-scientific issues related to applications and implications of Science (Ratcliffe, 1997).It also refers to a productive learning context to :• facilitate learners’ construction of science understanding, skills and

attitudes. • strengthen decision making and problem-solving skills (Koballa and

Tippins, 2000)

Source: 3M Young Scientist Challenge.Discovery Communications, 2007

ENGAGE Dilemmas

EBOLA: trial the vaccine?

GROW YOUR OWN BODY?

BAN COKE?

What does the FOX SAY?

THREE PARENTS ?

CAR WARS?

GIANT VIRUSES?

GM DECISION ?

BIG BAG BAN?

CHOCOLATE MONEY?

APPLIANCE SCIENCE?

EAT INSECTS?

SOLAR ROADWAYS?

MAKE DECISION ?SINKING ISLAND

The ENGAGE dilemma approach is based on a short cycle with 3 stages, adapted from the 5 E’s inquiry cycle (Bybee, 1997; 2002)

A Dilemma lesson is short so students won’t be working with “exploring” and “explaining”

evaluate

ENGAGE

EXPLORE

EXPLAIN

EXTEND

1. Motivating students with the dilemma

2. Helping Students apply their knowledge

to make decisions about the dilemma

1. Creating opportunities for

students to reflect on their learning

with the dilemma

What is the teachers’ role in “ENGAGE dilemma lessons”?

to help students    • capture students’ attention with the context

• activate previous or informal knowledge • be curious and appropriate the “dilemma” as their “own learning

objectives”

• Use their relevant knowledge to solve the problem. • Apply students’ enquiry skills to find solution.• Justify an overall decision or evaluation.

    • Get feedback to improve their performance.• Reflect on what they learned from the lesson and how.

EN

GA

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E 

Source: ENGAGE PROJECT (2014-2016)

    What are effective strategies for Dilemma lessons?

   • Find out about the new story to become enthusiastic yourself• Make the context more dramatic using props or demonstrations• Ask questions to relate the Dilemma to students’ experience• Get students to compare their reactions to the question • Listen in to group discussions• Ask questions to check understanding• Remove scaffolding in student sheet for more advanced students• Support students in interpreting sources of evidence• Support students in justifying their response to the dilemma

    • Use formative assessment techniques to assess students’ understanding• Get students to self- or peer- assess the outputs• Ask students what was easy or difficult in the task, and how they solved

the problem

EN

GA

GE

 E

XTE

ND

EVA

LUAT

E 

Source: ENGAGE PROJECT (2014-2016)