Abstract:

How can a commonly used word help us discover interesting things about geosciences? How is it possible to memorize and discover the meaning of some scientific terms? Many words in common use have totally different meanings in geosciences and describe natural, anthropogenic phenomena and geophysical processes. In this educational-playful laboratory, children are guided, through a SCALE-UP (Student Centered Active Learning Environment Upside-down Pedagogy) approach, to discover what these words are in common use and what they mean in areas such as: seismology, geochemistry, geology, volcanology, marine sciences, climate sciences, space meteorology and observation from space. For example, "Bar" as the favorite place for Italians for breakfast. Some initial questions help the participants' interaction with the researcher (tutor) who, through a logical path, leads them to the discovery of their scientific meaning. Presented at the Science Festival in Genova 2022, the laboratory has been carried out by researchers and trained tutors involving 424 children between 20 October and 1st November 2022.

Here we present the methodology, how the words have been selected, the structure of the activity, the material developed to train the tutors and finally some results from survey feedback from both children and parents.

Keywords:

Geoscience, learning, children engagement.