Phenomena: The Ultimate Guide

Phenomena are important to science education because they give students tangible, interesting examples of science in the real world. They are also good opportunities for encouraging student inquiry: students can observe a phenomenon and subsequently ask questions and do research to find out more about how it works.

Throughout Twig Science, explicit connections are made between phenomena in the context of 3-D science standards. Twig Science materials consistently elicit and leverage students’ prior knowledge and experience related to the phenomena and problems present. In fact, phenomena and problems drive learning and use of the three dimensions of science learning at all levels.

Twig Science On… Phenomena

In this episode of Twig Science On…, we talk to fourth-grade teacher Sharleen Haarsma about using Twig Science to inspire students with phenomena, how science is all around us, and her most successful lesson.

Phenomena Blog Series

Every module in Twig Science Next Gen is centered around a Module Anchor Phenomenon—an Investigative Problem that drives student learning. An Anchor Phenomenon program is delivered throughout the module, in which students work to define, investigate, and explain a real-world phenomenon relevant to the topic of the module. We’ve put together some of the Anchor Phenomena your students will encounter in Twig Science—plus some fun facts that might surprise you.

Module Anchor Phenomena—K–2

Discover the Anchor Phenomena that your students will encounter in Twig Science Next Gen for K–2—from the unruly thistle plant with a bad reputation to a town that has 76 days where the sun never sets.

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Module Anchor Phenomena—3–5

Discover the Anchor Phenomena that your students will encounter in Twig Science NextGen for 3–5—from butterflies with a fascinating predator deterrent to a myth about the Earth’s axis.

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Module Anchor Phenomena—Middle School

Discover the Anchor Phenomena that your students will encounter in Twig Science Next Gen for Grades 6–8—from how climates vary from region to region to a cute little critter that lives underground.

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Image of laptop with a Twig Science module on the screen

Phenomena Trackers

Explore the Anchor Phenomenon and Investigative Phenomena in each module below by reviewing our Phenomena Trackers. Students are supported to investigate the Anchor Phenomenon before constructing their own explanations of that Phenomenon as they journey through each module.