This activity gives students a collaborative, hands-on experience in theory building. Using the metaphor “the mind is a black box,” students work together in small groups to discover what is inside a sealed, black, plastic box. In all, 63 undergraduate and 11 graduate students evaluated the activity. Students reported that they enjoyed the activity and that it helped them learn more about the development of scientific theories; the existence of conflicting theories; and the value of logical thinking, imagination, and social collaboration in the process of scientific investigation.
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