How can you help students experience awe in the classroom?

1 Use multimedia resources

One way to create awe is to use multimedia resources that showcase the beauty, complexity, and diversity of the world. You can use videos, images, podcasts, or virtual reality to expose your students to new perspectives, cultures, and phenomena. For example, you can show them a stunning video of a natural wonder, a fascinating image of a microscopic organism, or a captivating podcast of a personal story. These resources can help your students appreciate the wonders of nature, science, art, and humanity.

2 Incorporate awe-inducing activities

Another way to create awe is to incorporate awe-inducing activities into your lessons. These are activities that challenge your students to explore, discover, create, or reflect on something that is novel, surprising, or meaningful. For example, you can ask your students to conduct an experiment, solve a puzzle, write a poem, or share a gratitude journal. These activities can help your students develop their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

3 Invite guest speakers

A third way to create awe is to invite guest speakers who can share their expertise, passion, or experiences with your students. Guest speakers can provide your students with valuable insights, inspiration, and motivation. They can also expose your students to different career paths, role models, and opportunities. For example, you can invite a scientist, an artist, an activist, or a traveler to talk about their work, their challenges, their achievements, or their adventures. These speakers can help your students broaden their horizons, aspire to their goals, and learn from their stories.

4 Encourage awe-based discussions

A fourth way to create awe is to encourage awe-based discussions among your students. These are discussions that prompt your students to share their feelings, thoughts, and questions about something that they find awe-inspiring. You can use open-ended questions, prompts, or scenarios to facilitate these discussions. For example, you can ask your students to describe something that amazed them recently, to explain what they learned from it, or to imagine how they would react in a different situation. These discussions can help your students express their emotions, deepen their understanding, and foster their curiosity.

5 Model awe yourself

A fifth way to create awe is to model awe yourself as a teacher. You can show your students that you are also curious, fascinated, and excited by the world. You can share your own awe-inspiring experiences, interests, or passions with your students. You can also demonstrate your enthusiasm, wonder, and appreciation for the topics that you teach. For example, you can tell your students why you love your subject, how you discovered something new, or what you are eager to learn more about. By modeling awe yourself, you can influence your students' attitudes, behaviors, and values.

6 Support awe-based learning

A sixth way to create awe is to support awe-based learning in your classroom. You can create a learning environment that is conducive to awe, where your students feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore, create, and reflect. You can also provide your students with feedback, guidance, and resources that help them pursue their awe-related interests, questions, or goals. For example, you can praise your students' efforts, offer them suggestions, or direct them to additional sources of information. By supporting awe-based learning, you can enhance your students' engagement, motivation, and achievement.