by Sanne Dekker & Jan van Baren-Nawrocka (Radboud University, Τhe Netherlands)

In the PARRISE project, the Science Education Hub Radboud University (The Netherlands) has developed a useful tool for teachers. This tool, shown in Figure 1, is called the SSIBL machine and helps teachers to develop and identify a suitable SSIBL project. The SSIBL machine includes all criteria for a good SSIBL scenario, such as, for instance, ‘Is it controversial and open ended?’ and ‘Is it researchable by students?’. Teachers can run their idea for a project ‘through’ the machine. When all questions in the machine are answered with yes, their idea fits all SSIBL criteria. If one of the questions is answered negatively, it is a sign that their idea needs to be adapted. In our projects, we have found out that teachers found this tool attractive and very helpful in the stage of developing a SSIBL project. It can be used in both primary and secondary education. If you are interested in finding out more about this tool, please contact us at [email protected].