Learning from your Mistakes

by: Pamela J. Galus

Using lamps directed at black, gray, and white cans to show the impact of color on heat absorption is a classic experiment, one that the author came to think of as a “sure thing.” So, imagine her surprise when this “sure thing” turned into a discrepant event—the grey can exhibited the highest temperature increase. Instead of becoming flustered and starting over from scratch, she used the unexpected results as the basis of an inquiry activity. The following is a little background on how this experimental error turned into a learning opportunity.

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Type Journal ArticlePub Date 11/1/2000Stock # ss00_024_03_30Volume 024Issue 03

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