The Power of Analogous Phenomena
How the transfer of knowledge to everyday phenomena deepens sensemaking in three-dimensional science learning
Analogous Phenomena and the 5E Mode
- “The 5E model can include scientific practices for students at almost any level, and are already designed to facilitate sensemaking through explanation.” (Institute for Science + Math Education 2014)
- “The 5E instructional model is grounded in theory and creates a focus with each phase that carries forward students’ use of core ideas and crosscutting concepts to make sense of phenomena that have the same causes.” (Moulding and Bybee 2017, 18)

- Engage: Students ask questions and show interest in a phenomenon. The teacher elicits responses that uncover what students know or think, along with misconceptions students may have, to assess prior knowledge.
- Explore: Supported with hands-on activities, simulations, and student readers, students collaborate to investigate phenomena and develop explanations. The teacher observes and guides learning.
- Explain: Students explain possible solutions. They make observations as they begin to apply their investigation to analogous phenomena. The teacher formatively assesses students’ explanations.
- Elaborate: Students use crosscutting concepts to relate the phenomenon to other phenomena in their lives. The teacher encourages the student to deepen thinking by extending the concepts to related phenomena.
- Evaluate: Students self-reflect on learning and demonstrate an understanding of the phenomenon as well as offer evidence supporting analogous phenomena. The teacher evaluates students’ reasoning and assesses their knowledge.
Promoting Equity
Applying Analogous Phenomena
- What does this remind you of ?
- Can you tell me more about ____?
- Tell me about a time in your life when you experienced _____.
- What does this make you wonder?
- How is this similar to or different from _____?
- Lessons that encourage students to go outside, whether outside of their classroom or home, help learners notice phenomena that may relate to their investigations.
- Take-home science activities encourage students to specifically look in their home communities for phenomena that support the science idea they investigated in class that day.
- Simulations can spark student thinking, leading to that aha moment that helps them relate phenomena.

*Examples of phenomena are from Building Blocks of Science 3D.
References
About Carolina
Carolina Biological Supply Company is a leading supplier of science teaching materials. Headquartered in Burlington, North Carolina, it serves customers worldwide, including teachers, professors, homeschool educators, and professionals in health- and science-related fields. Carolina is the exclusive developer and distributor of the Building Blocks of Science™ 3D curriculum.
About Building Blocks of Science 3D
*Next Generation Science Standards is a registered trademark of Achieve/WestEd. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of, and do not endorse, these products.
©Smithsonian Science Education Center. The Smithsonian Science Education Center is Transforming K–12 Education through Science™ in collaboration with communities across the globe. ScienceEducation.si.edu
Learn More
Learn how a robust three-dimensional, phenomena-based science curriculum supports outdoor learning experiences at Carolina.com/curriculum.
www.carolina.com/bbs
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