Science+notes+2010

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000198 EndHTML:0000018224 StartFragment:0000003719 EndFragment:0000018188 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/libertyheise/Desktop/Science%20Breakout%20session%2010.doc Science Breakout session 10:20-11:15 Introductions If they don’t get it right away, students tend to shy away from keeping on with the challenge. One solution: Getting them to use Voicethread on your own. I will be here but will not be answering your questions until you’ve really tried it. Group work : help each other but not copy from each other. Pressure of time: Need to get through a certain amount of information by a certain year. If I could relieve that pressure of time, I would be a lot freer at supporting that student where they are. A girls frame of reference/mind has a lot to do with whether they succeed or fail or whether they feel like they succeed or fail. How do we define failure? If the bar is high, failure can be seen as a great attempt. What is a success story? Where did you start and where are you going to end? The emphasis is in that you can learn it (competence levels, excitement). Saturating them with the experience of failure … Contractual learning might improve the concept ability. Template or framework that works? (Evergreen contract learning emphasized in my own teaching practices) Prescott/field courses incentive to learn what you needed because it was real. Middle school curriculum is very unfriendly. What motivates them? How can we get them to enjoy the act of science? Annual women in science luncheon – students studying science who were not the top students in class. Bringing in students who are role models. Have students understand how science applies to their world. Service learning project: (Atmospheric Science (white roof)) Pizza Box Project: proposal to city council figuring out how they could get a plan in place (city ordinance) so the cardboard could be recycled. Harkness Method of teaching: learning is completely student driven. The learning is in the struggle. Screencastomatic []. Records lessons so they can listen at home for homework and then they go drectly to hands-on activities. They understand it better and can go back over it as many times as they would like. Do not get interrupted. Collaboration is happening more. More labs by Columbus Day because of reverse lab set up. The girls want you to use technology. They are going to get ramped up to come to class. Using lectures from MIT to show the girls what they know. Students are more willing to try other skill building once they have had a sense of failure. How does this technology play out with varying learning disabilities? Second Session Science Breakout Content vs. Skill - for some, middle school offers an emphasis on skills rather than content areas. What does the word skill mean? How to use equipment How to keep assignments organized, etc. What is it that we should be focusing on in middle school? The practical skills of using the tools and how to problem solve Developing an emphasis on science Developing a passion Getting to see relevance in the science work “Middle” development mirrors what we teach? Skills might be a better focus because abstract thinking is more difficult conceptual concepts. Switching from a straight forward curriculum to an integrated curriculum. Ability to retain the information learned in “separate areas” isn’t there. Electives in science An idea instead of integrated curriculum could be meeting with your math teachers (or science teacher) and find out what everyone is doing. Make connections between curriculums and subjects, use the same language. Meet and rearrange, collaborate. Science Olympiad – Engineering is what helps bridge the gap between science and math Suggested topic points: How can we overcome negative stereotypes and help girls realize our potentials? Bring in young, dynamic speakers. TED talks assigned over the summer History of science/math Female scientists Upper grades teaching to lower grades Mentoring programs Upper AP students teaching or mentoring lower classes. Now the material differently because they have to teach it and think about it differently. What does it mean to be a mentor? Peer tutoring? Clubs: Fail/succeed Tech club: Let the students come up with their own ideas STEM clubs? Not as much fun as a model UN. A cool trip? Science Olympiad Engineering Club in upper school Robotics competition some other type of competition cardboard boat race Technology Student Association Department Meeting 11:15 Friday Students are better prepared and more interested in technology when: 1. there is regular and predictable access to technology. 2. Social connectedness and social issues are addressed. 3. Social relationships are built through technology. 4. Special development is developed and nurtured starting early on. 5. When they have skilled and passionate mentors/role models. Girls definitely “buy in” with social connectedness. Importance of building in “tech time” ** “EPICS” Enginneering Projects in Community Service  ** Started at Purdue Students developing projects in local issues Are there ways to link projects to the “humanness” of issues? Problem: Not being supported enough by the IT department. What happens when a girl has her own laptop when it comes to troubleshooting? Will they go to IT or will they troubleshoot? ** Schedules  ** MS   45 minutes, 5 classes/day US   Blocks—Hockaday, Harpeth Hall, Hutchison 80 min, every other 6 day rotation 80 min, every other 7 day rotation Modular—6 day cycle; 18 compartments/day; have “mods” 49 minutes, 4 days a week with one double block ** Mentoring  ** GPS Seniors and adult female mentors Hutchison career shadow 140 Hour Internship Program Senior Project in the month of May University Partnerships NSF grants—broader outreach ** Physics First  ** Pros/Cons Conceptual Physics ** The STEM ThinkTank  ** Reflections on the Schedule Strengths/Weaknesses
 * 1) Groupwork, : where is the balance between creating nurturing groups while still creating challenge. Keep the challenge while still providing a nurturing atmosphere? Is there such a thing as too much support? Are we doing more harm than good?