Date
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Location Name
RL 15
Name
From Curious to Convinced: Year-Long Research in 5th Grade
Description

Curiosity drives understanding. Explore how a year-long Library/Technology integration class harnesses student curiosity to build research skills and information literacy. Discover the Curiosity Project framework: students select a topic they genuinely wonder about, craft a thesis-driven research question, and complete three projects grounded in researched facts—two creative writing pieces where students communicate their understanding through a multitude of platforms, from Minecraft walkthroughs to graphic novels, and one makerspace project. Learn the thesis-building process, project menu structure for differentiation, and how tools like NoodleTools support citation and critical thinking. Walk away with a ready-to-implement template, strategies for teaching inquiry as a way of knowing, and insights into why curiosity-driven learning builds resilience against misinformation.

Session Type
Traditional Workshop
Track
Library/Media Literacy
Secondary Track
Digital Tools
Primary Audience
Elementary School
Secondary Audience
General Educators
Fall Conference Strands
Educate
MA DLCS Strands
Computing and Society, Digital Tools and Collaboration