Ask A Scientist

Last week I submitted a question to the Ask a Scientist website at http://www.hhmi.org/askascientist/. The question I asked was: “Is there fossil evidence that supports the proposal that eukaryotic mitochondria are derived from prokaryotic cells?”  I have not yet received an answer to this question, although I look forward to any information that will transpire from this inquiry.

The Ask a Scientist website is extremely helpful in answering any science-related question, and if a question has already been asked that is similar to the one being searched, there is an answer available immediately.  This website is a wonderful resource that could be accessed for learning in the classroom.  My students are always asking questions that evoke curiosity.  Taking advantage of these questions and requiring students to take on the responsibility for searching out an answer is a great way to facilitate self-learning.  This website provides a resource that is reliable, which is an important model for students as they learn to find research sites online.  The experience of connecting with a scientist that works in the field is an element that is important in encouraging STEM-related careers.

Reference

Howard Hughes Medical Institute. (2012). Ask a scientist. Retrieved from http://www.hhmi.org/askascientist/