Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski science education consultant provides 67 photos and a brief narrative describing what reflective journaling is and how it can be used in the STEM and science classroom to develop and strengthen critical thinking skills. The reflective journal is very different than the traditional student notebook. Your students will practice empirical observations and thought processes as Leonardo da Vinci did. Reflective journaling is student-created, it engages the student in the learning process. Reflective journals can be used as formative assessments. Additionally, they can be peer-reviewed, and encourage collaboration among students. Collaboration in the science, technology, engineering, and math classroom is crucial. The most powerful component of reflective journaling is that it allows the student to take ownership of their learning. For more information about the STEM and science teacher training workshops, Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski conducts nation and worldwide check out her site at: http:/www.dianawehrellgrabowski.com

1. Reflective Journaling
In The STEM and Science
Classroom

3. Research has shown that the regular habit of journal writing can deepen
students’ thinking about their course subjects by helping them to see that
an academic field is an arena for wonder, inquiry, and controversy rather
than simply a new body of information. John C. Bean

7. Leonardo Da Vinci was an advocate of careful empirical
observation and experience to obtain reliable knowledge about
how the world really works.

9. Reflective journaling is a student-created learning resource.

14. Reflective journals can be used for formative assessment purposes.

19. The reflective journal is a compilation of questions, thoughts, ideas
and samples, it’s ever-changing.

23. Students are encouraged to secure 2 and 3-D samples from their
investigations into their reflective journals.

29. Students can record quantitative and qualitative data in their
reflective journals.

55. Reflective journals can be peer reviewed, and encourage collaboration among
students.

67. The most powerful component of reflective journaling is that it allows
the student to take ownership of their learning.