Each team developed a budget, constructed scale prototypes, and tested them with a smaller garden snake. Each group prepared and gave a persuasive speech about the most effective elements of their design. Once those blueprints passed inspection, they built the cage, with heating and lighting. Students analyze this problem and set the appropriate criteria against which their solutions will be judged. Resources and their uses are self-determined and, therefore, highly motivating.
Students link concepts from science, mathematics, construction technology, economics, and art.
They weigh each choice against a preferred outcome, and they act as contributing members of a team in making decisions. They learn about reptiles, building, and habitat in ways that dramatically increase the likelihood of retention. Best of all, they leave feeling successful about learning and anticipating the next day's events. However, its strategy forms the basis of instruction for nearly a dozen teachers in the Willamette Primary School, as well as in schools across the country. The outcomes in student learning are quite impressive.