An Answer looking for a Question with Dr Karl.

At Glenorchy Primary School, curiosity is in full bloom! Our Grade 3/4 (Reid and Watson) students have been honing an important skill—asking open-ended questions that spark rich discussions and deeper thinking. Rather than just asking for yes-or-no answers, they’ve learned how to dig into topics with thoughtful, engaging inquiries.

To put their new skills to the test, the class had the incredible opportunity to pose their questions to none other than Dr Karl Kruszelnicki—Australia’s beloved science communicator and all-around knowledge powerhouse! We met with Dr Karl via Zoom - another new experience for us all!

The students brainstormed questions that would encourage meaningful responses, from mysteries of the universe to everyday science in action. Here are just a few of the gems they came up with:

• Why do we tan when we go out in the sun?
• Why does the world spin?
• Why do we grow most of our hair on our heads? and
• Why do we yawn?

Dr Karl, ever the enthusiastic explainer, took the time to answer the students’ questions with his signature mix of fun facts, mind-blowing science, and infectious enthusiasm. The students were enthralled—hanging on to every word and walking away with even more questions than they started with!

Learning to ask open-ended questions doesn’t just help students become better interviewers—it helps them become deeper thinkers, keen investigators, and engaged learners. We are so proud of our Grade 3/4s for embracing their curiosity and making the most of this inspiring experience.

Stay tuned for more learning adventures at GPS! who knows what big questions our students will tackle next?