Setting up your science table

The Science Table as an integral part of building a classroom community

The science table, placed close to a wall that is covered with display paper and has an electrical outlet near the floor, was always a significant and key area in my elementary and middle school classrooms.

Why?      Because a science table helped me create and sustain the appropriate environment in which to build a community of active, inquisitive learners.

A well-displayed, interactive science table appeals to students’ sense of curiosity and promotes interest, discussion and research.

What is a science table?  It’s a table space first owned by me, then maintained and owned by the class. It’s a table on which to display Mother Nature’s delights from the first day of school on. The items (rocks, fossils, shells, feathers, bones, leaves, bark, plants, pond water, whatever catches one’s eye) are talked about, carefully displayed, labeled, and accompanied with questions, pictures, reference books, magnifying glass and binocular microscope that's plugged into the wall socket

From the first day of school, I started each day with a science table ritual.

On Day One, I tell everyone what’s on the science table, inviting the students, at the appropriate time, to take a closer look.  I then invite them to volunteer to look after the table.

Once a routine had been established, I ensured the table’s contents constantly change, either by me or the students bringing in different interesting delights.