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Off to the races with physics!

By Debra Shapiro

Posted on 2011-11-13

teacher winds rubber band around wooden carI enjoyed watching auto races as a child, so I decided to check out Norm Barstow’s session, Elastic Power: Wind Up Your Engines and Explore (a.k.a. “NASCAR in New Orleans”).

preparing for the "auto race"

Preparing for the big race


Barstow had elementary and middle school teachers use an elastic-powered wooden car to explore energy transfer and force and motion.
Norm Barstow with one of the "race car drivers"
Check out Barstow’s “lab coat”: No boring science lessons for his students! 🙂

Start your engines…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOs1lJBlTNs[/youtube]
 
I interviewed Barbara Park about her experiences in this session.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf62Zjwq39c[/youtube]

teacher winds rubber band around wooden carI enjoyed watching auto races as a child, so I decided to check out Norm Barstow’s session, Elastic Power: Wind Up Your Engines and Explore (a.k.a. “NASCAR in New Orleans”).

 

Bringing outdoor science in

By Claire Reinburg

Posted on 2011-11-12

Steve Rich’s early morning NSTA Press Session in New Orleans “Bringing Outdoor Science Into Your Classroom” drew teachers eager to explore strategies to incorporate more of the outdoors into their science lessons. Rich presented dozens of ideas for activities linked to nature, and the participants brainstormed about “what can we bring indoors to study?” Some of the ideas included samples of soil, seeds, leaves, seashells, and branches. When collecting specimens like this, Rich stresses always following safety precautions like placing caterpillars or bugs into a critter container and then releasing them outdoors again later in the day. Teachers also should be sure to research federal and state regulations on collecting specimens in the wild to be sure they follow the rules in their local area.  A survey of the schoolyard with students is a simple activity that can yield wonderful objects for study, such as seeds for measuring and comparing or artifacts such as insect wings lying beneath spider webs that students can draw and record their observations about in a journal. The teachers present used Rich’s own collection of artifacts as inspiration for a brief writing activity that yielded fascinating read-alouds such as a short poem and a CSI-type case summary. Steve Rich is the author of Outdoor Science: A Practical Guide. His forthcoming book on bringing outdoor science in will be published by NSTA Press in spring 2012. Rich shared the following web links with workshop participants seeking new ideas for outdoor or indoor science activities:

Steve Rich’s early morning NSTA Press Session in New Orleans “Bringing Outdoor Science Into Your Classroom” drew teachers eager to explore strategies to incorporate more of the outdoors into their science lessons.

 

Fun and games with the carbon cycle

By Debra Shapiro

Posted on 2011-11-11

Slide from carbon cycle session in New OrleansDemonstrating the carbon cycle was never so much fun as it was in Kristen Dotti’s New Orleans session, Drop the Lecture and Let the Studentssecond slide from carbon cycle session Pick Up the Learning in Environmental Science. Dotti, who teaches Advanced Placement high school students at Christ School in Arden, North Carolina, had teachers use brightly colored plastic balls to create models of CO2 and other chemical compounds. Next, they had to choose which organism they were going to be and act out how the organism would behave in photosynthesis or cell respiration. Around the room, you could hear excited teachers exclaiming, “I’m a coral! I’m a deer!”
That was fine with Dotti. “You should be talking. It should be loud in here,” she declared.
I took a few videos to let you in on the fun. In the first one, a group of teachers are creating their models.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1RODa1giyM[/youtube]
This group is demonstrating mineralization.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5HHjPFFKwE[/youtube]
Now the “dramatization” begins!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRoDqWktdFY[/youtube]

Slide from carbon cycle session in New OrleansDemonstrating the carbon cycle was never so much fun as it was in Kristen Dotti’s New Orleans session, Drop the Lecture and Let the Students

 

Picture-perfect elementary STEM

By Debra Shapiro

Posted on 2011-11-11

photo from USEL session in New OrleansThis year, K–5 teachers from the Baltimore City (Maryland) Public Schools went from thinking they couldn’t teach STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and their students couldn’t learn it to expressing confidence in their skills and in their students’ abilities. This sea change resulted from an Elementary STEM Teacher Clinic held by STEM Master Teachers for teachers from struggling elementary schools with many high-poverty students and a predominantly African American population. The clinic provided 130 teachers from 22 schools with hands-on professional development during the summer and also with equipment, supplies, and books from the NSTA Picture-Perfect Science Lessons bookphoto of Picture-Perfect Science Lessons collection, which contains standards-based science content and ready-to-teach lessons.
This morning in New Orleans, as part of the Urban Science Education Leadership (USEL) session, presenters from Baltimore City Public Schools described the clinic and how it transformed the teachers. One key to its success was “every teacher had a coach…having that coach is the most critical component,” said presenter Katya Denisova. When the teachers returned to school in the fall, they had the coach available in their school to help them operate software and equipment and answer their questions. Most of these teachers “had not been exposed to teaching rigorous STEM,” she pointed out. By the end of the clinic, however, their self-assessments showed they greatly increased their knowledge of and skills in scientific inquiry.
Presenter Linda Evans declared, “How great is it to see the kids actually touching things and doing things [in class]!” She said the curriculum was based on Common Core state standards, “infusing literature and using [Picture-Perfect Science Lessons] as the anchor” to “push in STEM, touch on all those content areas.”
teachers working with sheep/jeep model and rampAdren Kornegay of Baltimore’s Garrett Heights Elementary Middle School said the curriculum “hit all four of the types of science,” and engaged students as young as kindergarteners in engineering design challenges. Kindergarteners developed a recycling program; second graders designed habitats for hermit crabs and worms; fifth graders created wind turbines. Terrell Davis of Montebello Elementary Junior Academy said even the fifth graders enjoyed the curriculum’s picture books, which helped them “relate to the [STEM] concepts.”
teacher prepares to launch the sheep down the rampThen the presenters gave the attendees some supplies and turned them loose to explore a motion-and-force activity related to the book Sheep in a Jeep. Groups of three teachers created ramps and rolled a tiny plastic sheep in a plastic jeep down them, then measured how far the sheep traveled. Just as their students would do, they varied the heights and lengths of the ramps and tried using sandpaper to see how it would affect the jeep’s motion. This “inquiry allows students to think for themselves,” observed presenter Evelyn Tolliver. Her students “connected all the ramps and were rolling cars across the classroom,” she said, smiling.
Denisova mentioned that the attendees and other K–5 teachers around the country could take advantage of the clinic’s curriculum, even though they won’t be in the next cohort. “We want you to be STEM advocates,” said Evans. “A lot of our elementary teachers are not comfortable with the content…They really do need support.”

photo from USEL session in New OrleansThis year, K–5 teachers from the Baltimore City (Maryland) Public Schools went from thinking they couldn’t teach STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and their students couldn’t learn it to expressing confidence in their skills and in their students’ abilities.

 

With STEM, almost everything is possible

By Debra Shapiro

Posted on 2011-11-11

Colonel Geoffrey LingThe audience for Colonel Geoffrey Ling’s presentation had a treat yesterday. Ling, who is program manager for the Defense Science Office at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), said that this conference was “the first national meeting” in which an “amazing breakthrough” would be announced. That breakthrough is a prosthetic arm that a person can control using his or her own brain—a miracle for our troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and for others with injuries or disabilities.
Ling said DARPA was founded in the 1950s in response to Sputnik and was “set free” to work on “high-risk, high-payoff projects.” He asked teachers to share some great ideas for future science innovations, and each one they called out—such as teleportation and flying cars—may someday be possible, according to Ling, because of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) that creates an “enabling technology. The enabling technology starts the process.”
He pointed out that many young children don’t know the meaning of “it can’t be done–in their own minds, it can be done.” Only when they grow up do they become “jaded” and closed to the possibilities. Ling says teachers need to be mindful of this and find ways to get students to expand their imaginations. “The brain is very adaptable..That’s like what teachers do [help young brains adapt].”
He also stressed the importance of student teamwork: “Always start with teams. It’s always a team [of scientists and engineers that create these innovations].” He said more than 200 scientists, engineers, physical therapists, and other experts worked on the prosthetic arm, “all inspired by [the] teachers” who taught them STEM.
Ling walked us through all of the steps taken to develop the prosthetic arm. Much of the work was accomplished using monkeys and studying their movements. The monkeys even assisted during the testing of the “remote control” of the arm. They learned how to control it by thinking about what they wanted it to do: Get it to grasp a food treat, then bring the treat to their mouths. Ling forsees that “30 years from now,” humans will drive a car by using their brains to control it. He also predicts “visual prosthetics are around the corner,” and artificial exoskeletons will enable elderly persons to regain movement. “Grandma can ski again!,” he exclaimed.
During the Q&A portion that followed, educators asked Ling about other possible STEM innovations. For each one, Ling assured them it could be done—and DARPA was working on it. The audience’s amazement and delight was palpable.
To see videos of some of the amazing work of DARPA and its partners, go to

I talked to one enthusiastic attendee about what he appreciated about Ling’s talk.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnUcL4NUVj8[/youtube]

Colonel Geoffrey LingThe audience for Colonel Geoffrey Ling’s presentation had a treat yesterday. Ling, who is program manager for the Defense Science Office at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), said that this conference was “the first national meeting” in which an “amazing breakthrough” would be announced.

 

Science Store snapshots

By Claire Reinburg

Posted on 2011-11-11

The NSTA Science Store at the conferences is a popular meeting spot where teachers can browse new teaching resources and NSTA gear while catching up with colleagues. A few of the popular books at the Store in New Orleans include Science the “Write” Way, Picture-Perfect Science Lessons, 2nd Edition; Celebrating Cultural Diversity: Science for All; Companion Classroom Activities for Stop Faking It! Force and Motion; and STEM Student Research Handbook. Authors like John Eichinger, the guru of Activities Linking Science With Math, K–4, and 5–8, also stop by to visit and talk about their books after sessions conclude. It’s fun to see science teachers sporting NSTA gear items like “I Love Science” hoodies and t-shirts while rushing to their next workshop session.  A cool new item debuting at the New Orleans Store, inspired by Sarah Young’s Gourmet Lab book, is an apron declaring “My Other Lab Is My Kitchen.” All the books displayed at the Store and many of the gear items are available through the online Science Store, too.

The NSTA Science Store at the conferences is a popular meeting spot where

 

The scoop on the Next Generation Science Standards

By Debra Shapiro

Posted on 2011-11-10

Stephen PruittStephen Pruitt, vice president for content, research, and development for Achieve, Inc., gave teachers an engaging preview of the Next Generation Science Standards during his talk this afternoon. “We have incredible teachers in this country…that’s the reason [the NGSS] will go forward,” he maintains. He also emphasized that the NGSS are “for all students” because all students are “born investigators,” and noted that some Nobel prize winners are working on the committee to develop the new standards.
The new standards will emphasize that understanding builds over time, and they “don’t stop at just memorizing details,” but will require students to understand “the evidence of how something works,” such as cell division. He referred to the NGSS as “inquiry unpacked,” a term he said he’s not crazy about but admits is important because not all educators have a cohesive understanding of what inquiry is.
The NGSS will reflect that “math is part of the language of science” and will indicate to teachers “here’s where math is appropriate,” Pruitt explained. Cross-cutting concepts are key in the NGSS because “shouldn’t energy be the same regardless of which class you’re sitting in?”
He suggests teachers think about the NGSS outside of their classroom and school and “come together for what will be good for the students, not what will be good for me…I’m going to ask that you have an open mind.” He reminded everyone, “When was the last time that we got better by doing less?” He urged teachers to read the framework, if they haven’t yet done so, because the framework serves as a preview to what will be in the new standards.
When teachers in the audience expressed concerns about how the NGSS will be implemented in their states, Pruitt responded, “Make sure people are informed about this and build a base…You can lead from your classroom just like any policy leader can.”
Here’s what Terri Jones of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, had to say about this session.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY3epUjmeaY[/youtube]

Stephen PruittStephen Pruitt, vice president for content, research, and development for Achieve, Inc., gave teachers an engaging preview of the Next Generation Science Standards during his talk this afternoon. “We have incredible teachers in this country…that’s the reason [the NGSS] will go forward,” he maintains.

 

Morgan Fairchild on science ed and the economy

By Debra Shapiro

Posted on 2011-11-10

Morgan Fairchild
(photo courtesy of Morgan Fairchild.com)

Who knew that actress Morgan Fairchild knew so much about science? “I was the original science nerd,” she told the audience during her keynote speech this morning. Fairchild, the daughter of a high school English teacher and an engineer, said that when she first came to Hollywood, her first stop was not the beauty salon, but the La Brea tar pits. She has hosted a panel on paleontology, where she was thrilled to show off a saber-tooth tiger’s skull; given presentations to the Senate about AIDS and environmental issues; studied anthropology; and keeps up with the latest medical discoveries, calling herself “a virus geek.” “If I can walk and chew gum at the same time, people are amazed,” she quipped, adding, “I may be blond, but I’m not stupid.”
She urges teachers to help their students see “science not as a drudgery, but as a door” to “a good and financially sound life.” While she believes the literary and entertainment worlds—such as the CSI television series—can hook students on science, she contends that “there will always be a new entertainment icon … but who is going to be the new Bill Gates?”
“Science has a great effect on the economy,” and “we can’t afford to fail,” she points out. The United States needs to preserve genetic diversity to ensure agricultural success and address health care issues that also threaten our economic future, she explains. “Fresh water is what the next wars will be fought about, not oil,” she maintains.
“It’s going to be the kids in your classes” who will have to deal with the issues of climate change, Fairchild observes. So it’s up to science educators to discover new methods of teaching to keep students engaged, and “our kids have to put in more time” studying science, technology, engineering, and math like children in other nations do, she contends. In addition, teachers should “fully exploit the mental capacities of girls and minorities” because “all societies improve economically” when women and minorities are in the workplace.
Fairchild received a standing ovation following her speech. Audience members praised her for her scientific knowledge and support for education–AND her beauty. Dr. Betty Crocker had this to say:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifuAPhvk6HA[/youtube]
NSTA President-Elect Karen Ostlund also weighed in:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mykeAxTDZPk[/youtube]

Morgan Fairchild
(photo courtesy of Morgan Fairchild.com)

Who knew that actress Morgan Fairchild knew so much about science? “I was the original science nerd,” she told the audience during her keynote speech this morning.

 

Picture science and reading together

By Claire Reinburg

Posted on 2011-11-10

Making connections


Emily Morgan and Karen Ansberry, authors of the popular Picture-Perfect Science Lessons Series, led a lively group of teachers in exploring classroom strategies and lessons that combine science with reading in the elementary grades. The Picture-Perfect Science

Roller coaster activity


Preconference Workshop at the New Orleans NSTA Area Conference included activities highlighting reading strategies like making connections, questioning, visualizing, determining importance, and synthesizing. Morgan and Ansberry focused also on the powerful BSCS 5E lesson model, which Morgan credited with transforming her science teaching. In the engage phase of one lesson, workshop participants heard Morgan read Marla Frazee’s children’s book Roller Coaster and shared their own experiences with riding a roller coaster. During the explore phase, they tested ways to change the speed and direction of a rolling object by building roller coasters out of pipe insulation. From exploring mystery objects inside small film canisters, to configuring a loop-to-loop for a model roller coaster and utilizing key reading strategies, the workshop participants shared some laughs while learning new ways to combine reading and science in engaging lessons for students in grades 3-6.  On a picture-perfect day in New Orleans, these workshop participants and their facilitators departed the session with new insights and strategies for transforming their own classrooms for science learning. To read more about Picture-Perfect Science and clever ways to combine science learning with reading, download the PDF “Why Read Picture Books in Science Class?”, a free e-book containing the introductory five chapters of Picture-Perfect Science Lessons, 2nd Edition.

Making connections

 

YouTube Space Lab contest

By Martin Horejsi

Posted on 2011-11-09

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T41vZCadbAk[/youtube]

Between now and December 7, 2011, entries are being accepted for the YouTube Space Lab contest. Individuals or teams up to three students aged 14–18 can submit up to three experiments that could be accomplished in a microgravity flight. As expected, the entries are in the form of a YouTube video such as in these example videos:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzn_Kr7mgyc[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHe-ToUj3aY[/youtube]

The list of judges is quite impressive, as it should be, including none other that Stephen Hawking!

You can read the details online, but one of the prizes is, pending NASA approval, to have your experiment conducted live (on YouTube of course) on the International Space Station!

Good luck!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T41vZCadbAk[/youtube]

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