Science Museum

So, I went to the Science Museum today for fun.  And it was a very learning experience, and for more reasons than you would think.  First of all, I learned a lot about light and sound and the body and weather and things like that.  All of that makes for a very learningful trip (I just made up that word: learningful).

But, I want to look at some of the Science Museum's lessons that are not so obvious.  And these lessons are subconscious mostly.

So, there is a science demonstration line where you create silly putty (unfortunately, my silly putty fell on my shirt and about 40% of it stuck and is still there right now grr face!!!).  The idea of a line is something that is taught throughout the entire science museum.  You have to wait to see something or use something until the person who is ahead you is done.  So, if you are behind the person opening the sneezing girl hole, then you have to wait until that person is "sneezed on" until it is your turn.

The idea of a line is a very important thing in our society.  Granted, as adults, we do not have to keep quiet, keep our hands at our sides (and no touching other students!), or any of those rules.  But we do have to stay in line and start in the back of the line.  And the Science Museum really helps with that lesson in a way that is implicit.

I now want to think about students with disabilities who may not be able to fully comprehend implicit instruction (instruction that is not told verbally, but expected to learn through experience).  There are some students, no doubt, who have lots of trouble with implicit instruction.  If this is the case (such may be the case for a student with an Emotional Behavioral Disorder), you need to teach and practice this idea before you go. Not many children like to be pushed out of the way because the child behind them wants to go now.  So, teach the idea of being in a line BEFORE you go to the Science Museum.  Granted, the student may screw up, but it is less likely.