I always believe students need to have fun in science. Of course, not all the time. But, there needs to be an element of fun. This is especially true when we teach science skills like CER. CER stands for Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning, and it’s an awesome format for students to follow in order to connect findings with data and prior scientific knowledge. Unfortunately, when it comes to CER, a lot of examples out there are, well, boring. Often, teachers use boring examples from the textbook or a lab manual – neither of which produce very real or inspiring examples. So, where can we find more CER examples that are fun and relevant?

Back in post #4, I proposed using real science experiments that were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize as a fun way for students to see CER in action. I still stand by that original idea. The Ig Nobel prize celebrates fun (and ridiculous) science. And, it’s a great way to show CER in action in real science. However, I thought it would be good to provide more CER examples from the Ig Nobel Prize list. In this updated post, I provide 3 more CER examples. Infographics are available for download at the end of the post.

What is the Ig Nobel Prize?

The Ig Nobel prize is awarded by Harvard every year for science that makes people laugh. It is the antithesis of the Nobel Prize. I say the experiments are fun and ridiculous. Yet, the scientists who are doing the experiments are not in it to be funny. No, the scientists are genuinely trying to answer a scientific question. These scientists are using the scientific process. Scientists are using some real science skill in these studies.

For example, one of our examples has scientists using chromatography to extract vanilla from cow poop. Another set of set of scientists use mathematical models to determine why body size does not have an effect on duration of urination. Though the scientists’ questions may appear to be silly, the process in solving those questions is serious. And that’s why I like to use the Ig Nobel Prize for CER examples.

Some More CER Examples from the Ig Nobel Prize

2015 Ig Nobel Winner – Physics

Title: Duration of Urination Does Not Change with Body Size

REFERENCE: “Duration of Urination Does Not Change With Body Size,” Patricia J. Yang, Jonathan Pham, Jerome Choo, and David L. Hu, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 111 no. 33, August 19, 2014, pp. 11932–11937.

2014 Ig Nobel Winner – Arctic Science

Title: Response Behaviors of Svalbard Reindeer towards Humans and Humans Disguised as Polar Bears on Edgeøya

REFERENCE: “Response Behaviors of Svalbard Reindeer towards Humans and Humans Disguised as Polar Bears on Edgeøya,” Eigil Reimers and Sindre Eftestøl, Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, vol. 44, no. 4, 2012, pp. 483-9.

2007 Ig Nobel Winner – Chemistry

Title: Novel Production Method for Plant Polyphenol from Livestock Excrement Using Subcritical Water Reaction

REFERENCE: “Novel Production Method for Plant Polyphenol from Livestock Excrement Using Subcritical Water Reaction,” Mayu Yamamoto, International Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2008.

Wrap Up

The Ig Nobel Prize is a fun and relevant way to show CER in action. What do you use to illustrate CER with your students? Please share. Who knows – I may even publish another set of infographics showing even more CER examples in the future. However, your feedback and ideas are definitely necessary (and appreciated!). Click on the link below to download the infographics for the 3 CER examples above. Please share our resources and web page with your colleagues too. Thanks in advance!

Until next time, keep it (ie. science) REAL!

Resources

Handout(s): 46 – More Ignoble CER examples (infographic)

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