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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.

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.

Nurture curiosity in children. This will help to build their inner strengths and live in a better way. Here is another nice article from Katrina Miller of Moxie Mental Health.

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. 

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.

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?

As technology evolves and its inner workings increasingly disappear from view, replaced with solid-state parts hidden by glass, aluminium and plastic, our understanding of what makes the world operate is similarly impeded. When machinery from just a few decades ago is viewed a world of moving parts, linkages, cogs and levers is revealed. These mechanical objects contain an inherent beauty and inspire curiosity in ways that modern devices with their pristine surfaces and simplified design language do not. Opportunities to explore devices from the past open our eyes and lead us to new questions of how our devices function, how machines do the jobs we need them to do and how engineers solve problems.

Finally, an easy way to tell your story. Just drag and drop your favorite stuff into Freepath's playlist - no need to convert files, upload videos or embed links.

Finally, an easy way to tell your story. Just drag and drop your favorite stuff into Freepath's playlist - no need to convert files, upload videos or embed links.

Free software for collecting multimedia resources and links, I am using this to build a new Earth science 11 program. Freepath lends itself so well to enabling my students (who work individually) to engage in the joy of self-directed discovery within the parameters of a structured learning package because they will be able to maneuver around my collection of multimedia materials, worksheets, readings, and links non-sequentially -- following their interests and going where their curiosity takes them, but will still have to come back to the framework and fulfill the expectations of the unit.

Transformers and Science - More than meets the eye The idea that one item can become another is something they find fascinating and you can tap into that curiosity via these lesson plans, "did you know" facts, and take-home project cards available here. All highlight the fact that science is transformation in action. These tools also help learning and fun come together which at The Hub, we believe can lead to endless possibilities. Join us in sparking student interest in the power of transformation and the science behind it!

With summer in the southern hemisphere, long days combined with school holidays for school teachers create the perfect opportunity to relax with a good book. Here are five great reads that might spark some curiosity and keep the brain working over the break.

Every day Wonderopolis posts a question one might wonder about. There is a picture with the question and sometimes a video. You can read further to find the answer to the question. A great discussion starter and then practice reading skill by reading the answer then maybe do a summary or state the main idea.