Concept Cartoons

This ASE resource shows different characters arguing about everyday situations. The cartoons provoke discussion and stimulate scientific thinking. Concept Cartoon Part One can be used at the start of a topic to help the teacher and students to become aware of the range of ideas that are held within the class. This creates the circumstance where students want to find out more and provides the stimulus for investigations and other forms of enquiry.

Concept Cartoon Part Two can be used at the end of the topic to check on learning or as homework. The Concept Cartoons create an effective focus, accessible at different levels. The written scientific explanation at the end of Part Two may be of use just to the teacher for groups with a lower reading ability, also introducing higher level abstract ideas.

Individual students can be given an opportunity for personal reflection by considering the different ideas in the concept cartoon. They are ideally used with small groups, or the whole class, when students will have to justify their own science ideas and argue their points against other ideas and interpretations. Students who are normally reluctant to share their ideas are given support through the ideas expressed in the concept cartoon. Teachers have found that they are highly motivating for learners of all ages, abilities and levels of interest in science.

Teacher notes are included within each interactive Concept Cartoon.

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx3gc