History of Scientific Inquiry through Plants (Sip3)
Scientific Inquiry through Plants (Sip3) developed in response
to a challenge to the Botanical Society of America from Dr. Bruce Alberts, president of The National Academies
(National Academy of Science, National Academy of Engineering, Institute
of Medicine, and National Research Council). As the Keynote Speaker at
the Botany
2003 Conference, he challenged us to become involved with science
education in a way that relayed the power scientific
inquiry and the joy of experiencing science. And, to make whatever we developed accessible and usable
by all.
As a society of plant biologists, we work with ideal organisms for inquiry-based science. Plants are readily available,
easy to keep, relatively inexpensive, and fun to experiment with. Sip3
allows students to explore core biology concepts through hands-on experiments with plants. It also allows plant scientists to share
their knowledge of and enthusiasm for plants.
Dr. Alberts suggested we get in tough with Dave Master, creator of Acme
Animation. Acme had designed a web site to support up-and-coming
animators using the same concepts we had discussed as important
for supporting science education, inquiry, professional mentorship, and fun. Dave
and the Acme team have played a crucial role in the development of the
Sip3 program, which was initially known
as BSA Sci-π. Initial development of the Sip3
program began in 2004. Bill Dahl, BSA's Executive Director, and Dave Master
led a panel session at the Botany
2004 Conference in Snowbird, Utah, to present the
Sip3 concept to the community for feedback. Click
here to view the abstract for the session.
In March 2005, we were ready to move forward. The development
committee met in the BSA headquarters in St. Louis to plan the proof-of-concept project.
Results of this Sip3
project were featured and presented to Texas educators at the Botany
2005 Conference in Austin, Texas (August 13-17). A larger pilot project followed in fall 2005.
During our first year online, some 500 students working in 130 teams shared their experiences of doing science with 40 plant scientist mentors. Visit the archived projects on the web site to see their investigations into seed germination and plant development. Students, educators, plant scientists had overwhelmingly positive responses to our pilot projects focused on the Wonder of Seeds Inquiry.
We continue to move forward, with an Advisory Committee of plant scientists,
K-16 educators, and science education researchers guiding our growth and new
topic development. This program's history is only beginning to be written.
Questions - email Sip3 staff: sip3@botany.org
Enjoy Science!
