Change is needed

As I am finishing my MA's degree at Walden University I can reflect on the fact that change is needed in Science education. I have learned that teaching must start with inquiry and should include hands on , relevant lessons. Incorporating Math and technology into our science lessons is also key- in order to groom our students to be a scientifically literate. They must also become aware of controversial issues and be able to critically understand each side -in order to debate their opinion. We want to produce social advocates for the environment and its dire needs.

I am sharing my gained knowledge at faculty meetings and starting relevant programs and projects at our school. A rain garden that will offer plants to help save the reefs is one example, as well as recycling. Beach clean ups to produce Art is the most fun, as field trips to pull invasive weeds is the most work.

What will be our Sputnik?

After reading the article about how the Sputnik inspired many students of the United States to become scientists I came to the realization that we need to inspire our youth in a similar fashion today. I agree with Friedman that too much money and national attention is spent on the war. More money should be spent on STEM education-as the world's future hangs in peril facing many threatening environmental issues. If the nation made saving the planet a priority -it could be our Sputnik. The compassion and conern for the planet would hopefully inspire our youth once again to enter the STEM workforce.

Reflection

I took a walk on the beach this morning and felt so grateful to be live on this planet. I swam in the beautiful ocean and appreciated more than ever. I know it has to do with the facts I have learned in this course. It is amazing, and I believe an awesome gift to be given this planet to live on. The perfect distance from the sun, the protective atmoshere, water, plants animals - just the right conditions for us to survive. I took my dip and made a pledge to the force in charge that I would really work hard to educate my First graders to be Earth loving citizens. So glad I took this course-so grateful for Earth.

Day and Night

I did a moving model in my First grade classroom showing the way the Earth and the Sun make day and night. What a fun way to explain the rotation of the Earth. The kids loved having the lights out, and they were all so engaged as the flashlight hit the globe. I had them say "day" when it hit Kauai(marked with clay and a straw) and "night" when Kauai was not facing the sun. Then we made a construction paper space ship with a window(plastic sleeve). They colored in a diagram showing how the sun makes day and night on Earth and put it in their window. Tomorrow we are off to the moon!

ask a scientist .com

I tried ask a scientist.com and did not get any answers four different times. I asked if there were any adaptations for the humpback whale. I also asked if their cells did something special to help them survive with out food during the winter months. Nothing. It was a bit dissapointing. Then I figured I would try to put these questions in more simple terms and they came up with a close question. "What is the genetic function of homosexuality?" I wondered what does this have to do with whales? Well the article was very interesting and spoke of how a whales can be homosexual, and how whale and a dolphin can produce offstring. But it just was not very helpful in answering my question. Any suggestions?

cool tech tools

I just experimented with 2 new tools to help make my classroom more engaging. The first one is a power point presentation available on gmail.com, and it is free. It was very easy to use-especially since my 14 yr. old was readily available for tech. support. First you go to documents then create new, then presentation. Then you find an image that you want -right click and save as in your documents. The rest is easy because as you click on the icons and they tell you where everything is-e.g. new slide,cover slide, etc. I liked the variety of templetes available and being able to use a photo for a background. You can also go back and forth from searching for pictures to the site easily. This would be great for school and I could see older students enjoying its use.

The other tool I plan to use when making presentations is animoto. It turns photos into videos with music. I was amazed at how easy it was to use and the great variety of music that was available. This one is free as well but you are limited to 30 seconds and no free downloads. They did have a monthly and yearly deal that included downloads and longer videos. It was abit expensive though. (Two hundred and some a year.) This sort of thing would be great for making a class slide show after a field trip or special day. They gave you the top 40 music to choose from and by looking at the titles you could match a song with your slides. The only thing I did not care for was when your slide was complete they email it to you. It took some time to find it and figure out how to play it. I would love to use it on facebook as well with my friends and our photos.

Great Copper Cleaning Experiment

I enjoyed this easy experiment with my First graders that showed the amazing chemical change of a dirty copper penny(copper oxide) back into its pure clean copper. If you dip it into vinegar and a dash of salt you will see the change. You can also use lemon juice and tomato sauce. I thought it would be fun to experiment with other things that the kids came up with. We tried some cleaning items, soda, and spit. None worked as well as the things with acid.