Appendix A
Survey I: Initial student survey on inquiry given to the whole class
How knowledgeable are you about the inquiry process?
List skills you think are important for scientists to develop.
Do you possess any of these skills? Yes/No
Which ones?
Are any of these skills important in other professions or areas of life? Yes/No
Which professions or areas of life?
How confident do you feel about designing your own experiments?
Rate how comfortable you feel about using evidence from an experiment to support a claim.
{Example: In three different trials salt water froze at a lower temperature than fresh water. From this evidence we claim that dissolved salt lowers the freezing temperature of water. }
Survey II: Initial student survey on motivation given to the whole class
Write about a time when you felt motivated to achieve something. Please be as descriptive as possible. What about the event made you want to do it?
Rate each of the following for how significantly they contribute to your motivation levels to do a task.
I am a very goal oriented person and I try to do well on most everything I try.
I feel motivated when I can clearly see the value of a task beyond just the classroom.
I feel motivated when I have freedom about how to accomplish a task.
I feel motivated if I feel confident I can succeed at a task
When faced with a new task that you’ve never done before what strategy do you rely on most to accomplish the task?
Survey III – Angela Duckworth’s Grit Scale Questionnaire – whole class
12- Item Grit Scale
Directions for taking the Grit Scale: Please respond to the following 12 items. Be honest–there are no right or wrong answers!
1. I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
2. New ideas and projects sometimes distract me from previous ones.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
3. My interests change from year to year.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
4. Setbacks don’t discourage me.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
5. I have been obsessed with a certain idea or project for a short time but later lost interest.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
6. I am a hard worker.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
7. I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
8. I have difficulty maintaining my focus on projects that take more than a few months to complete.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
9. I finish whatever I begin.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
10. I have achieved a goal that took years of work.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
11. I become interested in new pursuits every few months.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
12. I am diligent.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
Survey IV: Academic Motivation Scale given to the whole class
ACADEMIC MOTIVATION SCALE (AMS-HS 28)
HIGH SCHOOL VERSION
Adapted from AMS - College version
Robert J. Vallerand, Luc G. Pelletier, Marc R. Blais, Nathalie M. Brière,
Caroline B. Senécal, Évelyne F. Vallières, 1992-1993
Educational and Psychological Measurement, vols. 52 and 53
WHY DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL ?
Using the scale below, indicate to what extent each of the following items presently corresponds to one of the reasons why you go to school.
Does not correspond Corresponds Corresponds Corresponds Corresponds
at all a little moderately a lot exactly
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
why do you go to school ?
1. Because I need at least a high-school degree in order to find a high-paying job later on.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2. Because I experience pleasure and satisfaction while learning new things.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
3. Because I think that a high-school education will help me better prepare for the career I have chosen.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
4. Because I really like going to school.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
5. Honestly, I don't know; I really feel that I am wasting my time in school.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
6. For the pleasure I experience while surpassing myself in my studies.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7. To prove to myself that I am capable of completing my high-school degree.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8. In order to obtain a more prestigious job later on.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
9. For the pleasure I experience when I discover new things never seen before.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
10. Because eventually it will enable me to enter the job market in a field that I like.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
11. Because for me, school is fun.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
12. I once had good reasons for going to school; however, now I wonder whether I should continue.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
13. For the pleasure that I experience while I am surpassing myself in one of my personal accomplishments.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
14. Because of the fact that when I succeed in school I feel important.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
15. Because I want to have "the good life" later on.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
16. For the pleasure that I experience in broadening my knowledge about subjects which appeal to me.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
17. Because this will help me make a better choice regarding my career orientation.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
18. For the pleasure that I experience when I am taken by discussions with interesting teachers.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
19. I can't see why I go to school and frankly, I couldn't care less.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
20. For the satisfaction I feel when I am in the process of accomplishing difficult academic activities.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
21. To show myself that I am an intelligent person.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
22. In order to have a better salary later on.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
23. Because my studies allow me to continue to learn about many things that interest me.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
24. Because I believe that my high school education will improve my competence as a worker.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
25. For the "high" feeling that I experience while reading about various interesting subjects.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
26. I don't know; I can't understand what I am doing in school.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
27. Because high school allows me to experience a personal satisfaction in my quest for excellence
in my studies.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
28. Because I want to show myself that I can succeed in my studies.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
© Robert J. Vallerand, Luc G. Pelletier, Marc R. Blais, Nathalie M. Brière,
Caroline B. Senécal, Évelyne F. Vallières, 1992
Interview questions for first panel discussion with focus students
Interview questions for second panel discussion with focus students
Journal prompts for whole class data
How knowledgeable are you about the inquiry process?
- Not at all, never heard of it.
- A little, I’ve heard the term before
- Pretty knowledgeable, it was a focus in other classes
- Very knowledgeable, I can list related skills and how they apply to the inquiry process
List skills you think are important for scientists to develop.
Do you possess any of these skills? Yes/No
Which ones?
Are any of these skills important in other professions or areas of life? Yes/No
Which professions or areas of life?
How confident do you feel about designing your own experiments?
- Not confident at all
- Somewhat confident
- Pretty confident, I’ve done it before
- Very confident, I’ve done it more than once before
Rate how comfortable you feel about using evidence from an experiment to support a claim.
{Example: In three different trials salt water froze at a lower temperature than fresh water. From this evidence we claim that dissolved salt lowers the freezing temperature of water. }
- Not confident at all
- Somewhat confident
- Pretty confident, I’ve done it before
- Very confident, I’ve done it more than once before
Survey II: Initial student survey on motivation given to the whole class
Write about a time when you felt motivated to achieve something. Please be as descriptive as possible. What about the event made you want to do it?
Rate each of the following for how significantly they contribute to your motivation levels to do a task.
I am a very goal oriented person and I try to do well on most everything I try.
- This relates to me not at all
- This relates to me a little
- This relates to me quite a bit
- This is just like me!
I feel motivated when I can clearly see the value of a task beyond just the classroom.
- This relates to me not at all
- This relates to me a little
- This relates to me quite a bit
- This is just like me!
I feel motivated when I have freedom about how to accomplish a task.
- This relates to me not at all
- This relates to me a little
- This relates to me quite a bit
- This is just like me!
I feel motivated if I feel confident I can succeed at a task
- This relates to me not at all
- This relates to me a little
- This relates to me quite a bit
- This is just like me!
When faced with a new task that you’ve never done before what strategy do you rely on most to accomplish the task?
- Skills I have developed previously, I can usually figure things out on my own
- I usually ask another student for help
- I usually research how others have solved the problem and use their ideas
- I usually ask a teacher or academic coach for help
Survey III – Angela Duckworth’s Grit Scale Questionnaire – whole class
12- Item Grit Scale
Directions for taking the Grit Scale: Please respond to the following 12 items. Be honest–there are no right or wrong answers!
1. I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
2. New ideas and projects sometimes distract me from previous ones.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
3. My interests change from year to year.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
4. Setbacks don’t discourage me.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
5. I have been obsessed with a certain idea or project for a short time but later lost interest.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
6. I am a hard worker.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
7. I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
8. I have difficulty maintaining my focus on projects that take more than a few months to complete.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
9. I finish whatever I begin.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
10. I have achieved a goal that took years of work.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
11. I become interested in new pursuits every few months.*
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
12. I am diligent.
1. Very much like me
2. Mostly like me
3. Somewhat like me
4. Not much like me
5. Not like me at all
Survey IV: Academic Motivation Scale given to the whole class
ACADEMIC MOTIVATION SCALE (AMS-HS 28)
HIGH SCHOOL VERSION
Adapted from AMS - College version
Robert J. Vallerand, Luc G. Pelletier, Marc R. Blais, Nathalie M. Brière,
Caroline B. Senécal, Évelyne F. Vallières, 1992-1993
Educational and Psychological Measurement, vols. 52 and 53
WHY DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL ?
Using the scale below, indicate to what extent each of the following items presently corresponds to one of the reasons why you go to school.
Does not correspond Corresponds Corresponds Corresponds Corresponds
at all a little moderately a lot exactly
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
why do you go to school ?
1. Because I need at least a high-school degree in order to find a high-paying job later on.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2. Because I experience pleasure and satisfaction while learning new things.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
3. Because I think that a high-school education will help me better prepare for the career I have chosen.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
4. Because I really like going to school.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
5. Honestly, I don't know; I really feel that I am wasting my time in school.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
6. For the pleasure I experience while surpassing myself in my studies.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7. To prove to myself that I am capable of completing my high-school degree.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8. In order to obtain a more prestigious job later on.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
9. For the pleasure I experience when I discover new things never seen before.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
10. Because eventually it will enable me to enter the job market in a field that I like.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
11. Because for me, school is fun.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
12. I once had good reasons for going to school; however, now I wonder whether I should continue.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
13. For the pleasure that I experience while I am surpassing myself in one of my personal accomplishments.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
14. Because of the fact that when I succeed in school I feel important.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
15. Because I want to have "the good life" later on.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
16. For the pleasure that I experience in broadening my knowledge about subjects which appeal to me.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
17. Because this will help me make a better choice regarding my career orientation.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
18. For the pleasure that I experience when I am taken by discussions with interesting teachers.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
19. I can't see why I go to school and frankly, I couldn't care less.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
20. For the satisfaction I feel when I am in the process of accomplishing difficult academic activities.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
21. To show myself that I am an intelligent person.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
22. In order to have a better salary later on.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
23. Because my studies allow me to continue to learn about many things that interest me.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
24. Because I believe that my high school education will improve my competence as a worker.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
25. For the "high" feeling that I experience while reading about various interesting subjects.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
26. I don't know; I can't understand what I am doing in school.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
27. Because high school allows me to experience a personal satisfaction in my quest for excellence
in my studies.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
28. Because I want to show myself that I can succeed in my studies.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
© Robert J. Vallerand, Luc G. Pelletier, Marc R. Blais, Nathalie M. Brière,
Caroline B. Senécal, Évelyne F. Vallières, 1992
Interview questions for first panel discussion with focus students
- What does inquiry mean to you and what skills do you think are involved
- What sort of things are you curious about?
- How do you ‘know for sure’? When do you feel like you know something? What brings that about?
- If something is hard and difficult, what do you do to get through it if you have to?
- What are factors that motivate you?
- What would you like your life to look like?
- How do you feel about the readings? Specifically the ones that talk about self-discipline, or grit?
Interview questions for second panel discussion with focus students
- How can teachers move students towards more autonomous forms of motivation? How do these shifts occur?
Journal prompts for whole class data
- Inquiry skills include observation, questioning, hypothesizing, predicting, planning, exploring and communicating, write a list of when you have used each of these in the class so far and explain how it fits.
- Looking at our list of extrinsic and intrinsic motivators which do you think have been most influential for you over the past week? Month? Your life?
- You have come across an interesting phenomenon. When you tap a clear liquid with a glass stirring rod it suddenly crystallizes into a sold form. What do you think is going on? Design an experiment to test your idea. Write a detailed procedure and include your reasoning for your steps
- What did you accomplish today? What are your next steps for tomorrow?