All seventh grade science students complete an extensive laboratory investigation titled “The Data Toss Wiki.” The purpose of the exercise was to learn how to develop and test a hypothesis (i.e. conduct a scientific investigation). Students selected a variable related to throwing and catching an object, conducted trials, and recorded their results.

To make the process manageable and foster collaboration, the students used a wiki to organize their work. For most of the students, the Data Toss was their first experience using a wiki. While the technological aspects of the exercise (i.e. wiki syntax) were quite simple, the concept of true collaboration vs. “divide and conquer” was a bit more challenging for them. The final results, however, were worth the effort as the students learned to think scientifically and work cooperatively.