Sparking Curiosity From Underground to Outer Space
Classroom Activities That Travel from Underground to Outer Space
Engaging Students Through Curiosity
It's 2 p.m., and your students' eyes are glazing over. Phones buzz, pencils tap, and you're losing them. What if you could flip a switch—so they're so curious they forget the distractions?
Curiosity can turn that dream into your classroom reality. Research shows it's not just nice to have—it primes the brain for learning. Studies found it actually boosts memory retention by activating the brain's reward system.
I’m sharing with you here, three ready-to-use activities based on Curiosity-Based Thinking that use two weird and seemingly unrelated topics: the Naked Mole Rat from The Screaming Hairy Armadillo and the question "What if You Could Travel at Almost the Speed of Light?" from The Book of What If...?. Each activity takes minimal prep but delivers maximum engagement.
Naked Mole Rat: A Curiosity-Driven Survivor
Did you know there's a rodent that lives like a bee, survives 18 minutes without oxygen, and might unlock cancer-fighting secrets?
The Naked Mole Rat, a hairless East African marvel, leads a queen-ruled colony underground—and it's the perfect curiosity bait for students. This creature boasts remarkable longevity and the ability to survive low oxygen by metabolizing fructose instead of glucose. Its unique traits make it a perfect hook for curious minds.
Light-Speed Travel: Curiosity Beyond the Stars
What if you could travel at 299,792 kilometers per second?
Imagine zipping from New York to Los Angeles in less than a blink—five minutes for you, but decades pass on Earth. Einstein's relativity makes this mind-bending 'what if' a gateway to student wonder.
Though light-speed travel remains theoretical, it's a captivating question that sparks imagination and inquiry.
Curiosity-Based Thinking Activities for Your Classroom
Elementary School (Grades 3–5): "Mole Rat Mystery" (Science)
Activity: Students become “detectives” exploring Naked Mole Rat adaptations. Provide pictures or a short video (e.g., from The Screaming Hairy Armadillo). They draw the mole rat and label three adaptations—like its big teeth or hairless skin—then write one question they’d ask it (e.g., How do you dig so fast?). Share questions in a class “Mole Rat Q&A.”
How to Implement: Use 30 minutes during science. Prep images and paper—done!
Why It Works: Visuals, questioning, and hands-on learning spark curiosity about survival, aligning with research on inquiry-based learning.
A study in the Journal of Science Education and Technology found that question-driven activities significantly improved student engagement and knowledge retention.
Middle School (Grades 6–8): "Time Travelers' Journal" (Creative Writing/Physics)
Activity: Students write a five-minute light-speed journal entry—What do you see? How's time feel? What's changed back home? Then, they sketch a scene or make a comic strip. Share in groups. Takes only 25 minutes, just paper and pencils required.
How to Implement: Assign as a 20-minute writing task or homework. No fancy materials—just paper and imagination.
Why It Works: Storytelling and visuals make abstract physics relatable, fostering curiosity and creativity.
Research published in Science Education demonstrates that narrative approaches to science increase both interest and comprehension, particularly for abstract concepts (Avraamidou & Osborne, 2009)3.
High School (Grades 9–12): "Mole Rat Medicine" (Biology/Critical Thinking)
Activity: Students read a short article (e.g., Scientific American) on mole rat cancer resistance, then pair up: How could its genes help humans? What's a research question? Finish with a 10-minute debate—fund this or not? Fits easily into a 40-minute period.
Why It Works: Connecting science to real-world problems builds critical thinking and curiosity. A meta-analysis in the Review of Educational Research found that authentic problem-based learning significantly enhances higher-order thinking skills and knowledge application.
Curiosity as Your Teaching Superpower
Curiosity is your teaching superpower. These quick activities turn passive students into explorers, building engagement and retention through the principles of Curiosity-Based Thinking. Pick one this week—tweak it, try it, and watch your classroom ignite. Then, share your success with colleagues. Let's spread the curiosity contagion!
Quick Curiosity Hacks for Busy Teachers
Ask a daily "What if?" question (e.g., "What if gravity stopped?")
Set up a "Curiosity Corner" for student questions
Kick off with a 60-second "weird fact" tied to your lesson
Digital Resources
Looking for ready-to-use curiosity resources? Download the free educator guide for The Screaming Hairy Armadillo and 76 Other Animals with Weird, Wild Names at Hachette Book Group. This guide contains additional activities, discussion questions, and curriculum connections to keep the curiosity going.
About Me
Hi! Since I’m new here, I thought I’d share my current bio so you can know a little more about me.
Stay curious!
Matt
Matthew Murrie is an educator, author, and curiosity advocate. As the creator of Curiosity-Based Thinking, he helps educators transform classrooms through the power of questions. Matt is the co-author of The Book of What If...? and The Screaming Hairy Armadillo and 76 Other Animals with Weird, Wild Names. His TEDxCoMO talk, "What If... Our socks didn't match?" explores how embracing curiosity and questioning can lead to more engaged, creative thinkers. Matt has worked with schools, businesses, and organizations worldwide to implement Curiosity-Based Thinking strategies that improve learning outcomes and foster innovation.
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