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The landing of the Perseverance rover on Mars is an excellent catalyst for a discussion with students about the nature of Mathematics. It is a chance to inspire curiosity and wonderment and to do so through a mathematical lens.

When we are young, we are naturally curious. We ask many, many questions. As we encounter the world, our consciousness is bombarded by a plethora of opportunities for curiosity. And at this early stage of exploring and discovering the world we inhabit, there is no filter between our sense of curiosity and our expression of our it. If we are curious, we will be asking questions and heaven help anyone close enough to be a potential source of answers. - At school, our relationship to both curiosity and inquiry changes.

The bushfire crisis that is currently impacting Australia is beyond devastating. The scale of these fires defies the imagination. For so long now we have lived with skies laden with smoke as a constant and inescapable reminder that this is not an ordinary summer. This is weather and drought at its most extreme. Our only salvation will be rain but this is not the season for that and the long term forecasts are not promising. Our young people, in particular, will be affected and will need special care in the weeks and months to come. What might this mean for schools and for student agency?

Powerful learning begins with the perfect provocation. Creating, refining and skilfully presenting the perfect provocation is an essential capability for teachers hoping to engage their class in rich dialogue. Claims that the percentage of students engaged by their learning declines from 75 percent in fifth grade to 32 percent by eleventh grade suggests a need for a more provocative environment. 

We are driven by curiosity. It is an innately human quality that has driven us to explore, ask questions, investigate, wonder why and search for a deeper understanding. In a very fundamental way curiosity is the driver of all self-directed learning. It is our desire to find out more, unlock new knowledge and answer our questions (big ones and little ones) that compels us to learn. Sir Ken Robinson famously and provocatively asked "Do Schools Kill Creativity?". The same question might be asked about curiosity.

"Of course, I have always held the opinion that we are all still scientists in our own unique manner.  In light of that, I have chosen to write about how I think on this blog post.  There are two main types of blog posts on this site to 'demystify the life of a scientist'.  The first deals with large numbers or various statistics reported in the popular news with no real context provided."

"How many times do you hear a pupil fishing for the answer to the question you have just asked? How many hands go up to say, "Sir, I am Stuck!" and "Sir I can't do this!", or similar."

Curiosity Prepares the Braining for Learning https://t.co/akZRq39R18

Curiosity Prepares the Braining for Learning https://t.co/akZRq39R18

We've written a book for teachers who are tired of teaching to the test and want to get access to their students' creative potential. It's a writing book that is actually meant to be read; it's a pedagogy based on how we come to know the world and how we learn to confront the unknown. Available for free 7 day download at Amazon. We're having a book launch party at the MLA16 in Austin, Jan 9, 10AM Bedford Booth. Come talk about creativity and curiosity with us. Book launch at the upcoming #MLA16 in Austin

Getting Started with Inquiry Learning in Your Classroom

Curiosity's role in Students' Learning

Perplexity Mmmm … perple

Thoughtful and entertaining. Why does this stand out for me?

Tom Friedman

If we want kids to experience a sense of wonder and discover new information on their own (curiosity), if we want them to generate novel, adaptive ideas (creativity), and if we want them to derive their own perspectives and conclusions after a discussion (critical thinking), then the current educational system is a failure.

 Check out Curiosity in the Classroom and explore the great resources for teachers, students, and parents.

This site seemed very interesting and one to explore. Involving parents and inviting them in was a plus for this site. I can see how students would enjoy it too.