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 * How have you approached the Using activity in your classroom? What challenges have you faced?**

My experience of knowing about the Using activity is new. Upon reflecting on my past positions, I'm always thinking in the mind set, yet not in a formalized manner. In Canada, the experience of Chemistry and Physics gave many opportunities to use science, not to mention wonderful facilities. In chemistry, we had many experiments. In physics, I attempted many projects. The challenges I faced were great. I am an educated educator and not a scientist. Though I can learn how to teach material, I continue to feel I need to experience science to better teach science. Fortunately, I have many friends that are scientists and they have been very helpful relating more to various applications of science, especially in research. Overcoming these challenges means constant learning, constant experience. I am trying by learning more and more, but know we can't be it all.

 describe, predict, explain, and design.

Over the weekend, I was able to uncover my books that have laid dormant for several moves. Reflecting on the content I was teaching in Canada, it is becoming very beneficial to think in the Using subcategories. If I would have refined my presentation of material it would include a progression of Using. Challenges will still occur since what is taught is not always the interest of the child no matter how we try. Promoting inquiry is the entrance.

kedmon's response According to the standards, the goal is that students __use their knowledge to understand the world around them and to guide their actions__. Examples of activitiies are **DESCRIPTION**, and **EXPLANATION** or real world objects, systems or events; **PREDICTION** of future events or observations; **DESIGN** of systems or courses of action..

Doing science through experiments is important. But even more important is to __create opportunities for students to think about what they are doing__. In many cases, science activities have been characterized as 'hands on, minds off."