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English (US)

Fairywrens and the Art of Inquiry

How do scientists pick a question to study?

How do scientists pick a question to study?
Sponsored by:
Galactic_PolyMath_First_Sec_Mobile_Info
The Gist:

Spark your scientific thinking by observing cute Australian bird behavior! Fun, interactive videos feature real biologists and student inquiry & observation. Analyze the scientists' real data to get a window into ongoing research on the evolution of group size in fairywrens.

Target Subject:
Science
Grades:
6-8
Estimated Time:
2 x 45 min class periods
Target Subject:
Science
Grades:
6-8
Estimated Time:
2 x 45 min class periods
Target standards:
NGSS
|
MS-LS1-4,
LS1.B-M2,
1 Cross-Cutting Concepts (CCCs),
1 Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs)
Subject breakdown by standard alignments:Subject breakdown by standard alignments
Subject breakdown by standard alignments
Subject breakdown by standard alignments

Driving Question(s):

  1. How do scientists pick a question to investigate?
  2. How does a scientific question develop while collecting data?

Hook(s):

  • Learn alongside actual scientists as they observe the same data as you!
  • Includes creative, interactive videos and think-alouds with scientists that model how students can ask better questions.
Keywords:
behaviorobservationquestionsornithologyscientific methodnature of science
For Lesson 1
The Fairywren Challenge: Ask Questions Like a Scientist

Introduces the fairywrens and scaffolds student behavioral observations and question-asking.

by Galactic Polymath
For Lesson 1
How Do Scientists Pick a Research Question?

Scientists make observations about fairywrens and demonstrate how to turn observations into questions.

by Galactic Polymath
For Lesson 2
The surprising science of bird families—An evolutionary biologist's #SciJourney

Dr. Allison Johnson describes how real science does not follow a linear path. Supports the station-based activity where students will explore graphs from her research.

by Galactic Polymath
  • The Fairywren Challenge: Ask Questions Like a Scientist
  • How Do Scientists Pick a Research Question?
  • The surprising science of bird families—An evolutionary biologist's #SciJourney

2 x 45 min

Available Grade Bands

Available Teaching Environments

Browse & Download All G6-8 MaterialsBrowse & Download All G6-8 Materials
Learning Objectives

Students will be able to...

  1. Observe how scientists ask questions about phenomena, models, and data.

  2. Develop skills to ask questions in science.

Materials for

  1. Presentation (Lesson 1)

    Need: WiFi, Computer, Projector, Sound

    lesson_tile
  2. For teachers guides, sign in with a free account!

    Teacher Worksheet (Lesson 1)

    Print 1

    lesson_tile

  3. Student Worksheet (Lesson 1)

    Print 1 Per Student

    lesson_tile
Steps & Flow

5 min: Intro

1.

Some questions about questions

1.

Some questions about questions

Get students thinking about asking questions, and why this is an important skill.

10 min: Hook

2.

The Fairywren Challenge

2.

The Fairywren Challenge

Watch ▶ The Fairywren Challenge: Ask Questions Like a Scientist and then participate in a 4 corners activity about these birds.

  • study system: organisms, settings, time period being studied and the research techniques used

There are 2 different options in the slides for the 4 corners activity. Choose the option that works best for your class.

10 min: Engage

3.

How do scientists pick a research question?

3.

How do scientists pick a research question?

View footage of fairywrens, make observations, and develop questions.

4.

How do scientists observe fairywrens?

4.

How do scientists observe fairywrens?

Watch as scientists make more detailed observations about fairywrens in ▶ How Do Scientists Pick a Research Question?

Follow along on the Questionator Worksheet to refine questions and complete the remaining sections using the prompts in the slides.

10 min: Exit Ticket

5.

Wait, I've got more questions!

5.

Wait, I've got more questions!

Create a class question web stemming from the actual research question of the scientists.

Teacher Choice: You can add the actual research question to a whiteboard, poster paper, or add an extra slide in the presentation. You will need to save the question web for Lesson 2.

Going Further

Ideas and resources for deepening learning on this topic.

  1. Meet the Fairywrens

    Biology and range descriptions for all of the Australian fairywren species

  2. About the Research

    Get a brief introduction to the research being conducted by the research team introduced in the videos!

,
This unit is under construction. Please send your thoughts to feedback@galacticpolymath.com! And be sure to sign up for emails to get notified when the final version is released.
Learning Objectives

Students will be able to...

  1. Observe how scientists ask questions about phenomena, models, and data.

  2. Develop skills to ask questions in science.

Materials for

  1. Presentation (Lesson 2)

    Need: WiFi, Computer, Projector, Sound

    lesson_tile

  2. Handout/ Table (Lesson 2)

    Print Classroom Set

    lesson_tile
  3. For teachers guides, sign in with a free account!

    Teacher Worksheet (Lesson 2)

    Print 1

    lesson_tile

  4. Student Worksheet (Lesson 2)

    Print 1 Per Student

    lesson_tile
Steps & Flow

5 min: Recap

1.

Question web review

1.

Question web review

Use the question web from Lesson 1 to review the research question, and how to ask questions.

  • climate: the long-term patterns of weather (including temperature and precipitation)
  • family size: the number of individuals living in a social group (same species)

20 min: Discover

2.

Stations: Fairywren Field Notes

2.

Stations: Fairywren Field Notes

Analyze the actual data of the scientists to help answer the research question: Is family size in fairywren species determined by the climate of their habitat?

  • Students will work in small groups of 2-4. Create groups ahead of time.
  • Students will complete the first two sections for each station on the Fairywrens Field Notes Worksheet. Remind students that the final section will be completed after they watch a video.

Teacher Choice: You can print the data sets for each of the 3 stations, or display then on the board with the slides.

15 min: Cognitive Apprenticeship

3.

How do scientists analyze the same data?

3.

How do scientists analyze the same data?

Watch ▶ The surprising science of bird families—An evolutionary biologist's #SciJourney to come up with 1 new question or comment about each data set.

Students will complete the final section for each station after watching the video, along with answering some conclusion questions.

5 min: Exit Ticket

4.

Taking It Further

4.

Taking It Further

What is the most interesting question(s) you have for the scientists about their research?

Going Further

Ideas and resources for deepening learning on this topic.

  1. Meet the Fairywrens

    Biology and range descriptions for all of the Australian fairywren species

  2. About the Research

    Get a brief introduction to the research being conducted by the research team introduced in the videos!

Connection to Research

Purple-backed fairywren illustration
Purple-backed fairywren illustration by Dr. Allison Johnson

This unit features photos, video footage, and real data collected by a team of researchers studying evolution of behavior and group size in fairywrens—a group of colorful Australian birds in the genus Malurus. These adorable birds are inherently fun to watch, and serve as a gateway for students to get curious about animal behavior and practice being observant and asking questions. The unit also features amazing scientific illustrations by Dr. Allison Johnson sprinkled throughout videos and teaching materials!

Research Background

Dr. Allison Johnson and Dr. Dai Shizuka are behavioral ecologists whose work examines the relationships formed between animals within and across social groups. Dr. Johnson has been conducting research in Australia since 2011, focusing on understanding when and why cooperatively breeding birds form social groups. Dr. Shizuka’s work has investigated the links between sociality and ecology in birds in a wide variety of contexts. Together with collaborator Dr. Joe Welklin, they have combined their expertise to address how environmental variation, social conflict, and the benefits of sociality might interact to shape patterns of social organization within and across species.

Check out the Fairywren research labs:

Further Reading:

Scientific Papers

Target Standard(s)

Skills and concepts directly taught or reinforced by this lesson

Dimension:Performance Expectation

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will use the actual data (maps, graphs and observations) of the scientists to invesigate their research question: Is family size in fairywren species determined by the climate of their habitat?

Dimension:Science & Engineering Practices

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will work on the skill of asking questions using fairywren behavior as the phenomena.

Dimension:Disciplinary Core ideas

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will engage in discussions and observations related to the research question of the scientists: Is family size in fairywren species determined by the climate of their habitat?

Dimension:Cross-Cutting Concepts

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will analyze data to find patterns that support the research question: Is family size in fairywren species determined by the climate of their habitat?

Connected Standard(s)

Skills and concepts reviewed or hinted at in this lesson (for building upon)

Dimension:Measurement, Data, Probability & Statistics

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will analyze data sets (graphs) on fairywren family size, and climate characteristics of fairywren habitats.

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will observe and ask questions to analyze 2 different scatter plots for fairywren group size.

Dimension:Reading

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will observe various forms of media including videos, graphs, maps, and photographs to learn more, and ask questions related to fairywrens and family size in fairywrens.

Dimension:Science & Engineering Practices

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will hone the skill of asking questions by learning stratgies to refine and revise.

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will use the actual research of the scientists to analyze data with station work.

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will use the actual research of the scientists to analyze data with station work.

Dimension:Disciplinary Core ideas

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will engage in discussions and observations related to the research question of the scientists: Is family size in fairywren species determined by the climate of their habitat?

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will engage in discussions and observations related to the research question of the scientists: Is family size in fairywren species determined by the climate of their habitat?

Dimension:Cross-Cutting Concepts

How does the lesson address this standard?

Students will analyze data to find patterns that support the research question of the scientists: Is family size in fairywren species determined by the climate of their habitat?

Laura Perry | Designed and developed all curricular materials
Matt Wilkins | Oversaw development of all materials, wrote script and directed videos
Stephanie Castillo | Produced, edited, narrated, and scored supporting videos
Dai Shizuka | Defined outreach goals; provided feedback throughout development; provided scientific validation of lesson content
Allison Johnson | Defined outreach goals; provided feedback throughout development; provided scientific validation of lesson content

Funding

This work was funded by NSF Award 2312983

Illustrator

Created original artwork for unit banner, lesson tiles, and video assets

Major Release Beta

0.1.0 Unit initialized

April 28, 2025

0.2.0 First build

June 24, 2025

0.2.1 Fixed Credits, updated tiles

June 26, 2025

0.3.0 Added Video 1, feedback form

July 9, 2025

0.4.0 Added illustrations and more background info

July 21, 2025

Major Release 1

1.0.0 Added Video 3. Ready for show!

July 25, 2025