Scientific Sensemaking: Designing Solutions for Puffin Restoration
PublicationsScientific sensemaking is described in the context of studying a three-week, sixth-grade unit on the ecology and restoration of puffins living off the coast of Maine. Students engaged with a scientific adventure story, observed local bird species, used AI and webcam-facilitated tools, designed puffin burrows, and explored data sets about puffins. Students’ ideas were elicited through discussion of the challenges faced by scientists who restored the puffins; sharing observations of chick-rearing behaviors from a webcam; critiquing and revising classmates’ burrow designs; writing about bird