Education Commons^™

Why Are There Microscopes In The Art Room?, Joyce Symoniak

Faculty Publications & Research

During this presentation we will explore how working cross curriculum enhances learning within the visual arts, science and mathematics. We will discuss how the visual arts curriculum can be created in order to bond with STEM courses for student success. Through exploration we will discuss how collaboration within these courses can be used to solidify cross curriculum understanding and learning.

Building And Supporting A Research To Publication Pipeline, Sowmya Anjur, Jean Bigger, Joyce Symoniak

Publications & Research

Participants in this session will learn how IMSA is generating and disseminating scholarship and incorporating students into its research to publication pipeline.

We will also be discussing the benefits of including our student’s best work in DigitalCommons; students having the opportunity to own a publication before leaving high school and inspiring other students to do the same, witnessing their own growth in critical thinking and written communication skills, developing student portfolios, and graduating with an understanding of the importance and benefit of being connected to a global community of scholars.

The Open Educational Resources (OERs) being shared through IMSA’s institutional …

Can You Master This? : Initial Attempts At Specifications-Based Grading In Introductory Chemistry, Laura Kopff

Faculty Publications & Research

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) requires all incoming students to complete a one-semester introductory chemistry course in their sophomore year – Scientific Inquiries in Chemistry (SI-Chem). This course has historically been taught using a traditional grading/assessment model, however, in the Spring of 2021, a switch was made to a specification-based grading system. One motivating factor in this decision is an institutional shift to an equity-focused grading approach, and an analysis of our historical assessment model indicated areas for improvement.

Our initial foray into specifications grading was during the Spring of 2021 semester, when all of our courses were …

The G Suite Life, Karen Ye

Professional Learning Day

In the 21st century classroom, teachers are continuously seeking new ways to give and receive information from students. Many tech tools used for remote-instruction can still be useful and engaging for in-person instruction. In this session, we will explore a few different teaching resources that are available through Google G-Suite. Topics include: creative uses for Google Jamboard, making and sharing drag and drop activities using Google Slides, and creating customizable Pixel Art using Google Sheets.

Engineering Design, Patrick Young

Professional Learning Day

Reading The Girl with a Mind for Math, we learn about the career of Raye Montague, an African-American woman who broke every barrier to pioneer computer-aided ship design and become the first female program manager in the United States Navy. Lessons are provided for using free, online software to design ships while exercising several Common Core Math standards and NGSS standards for engineering design.

K-2 Foundational Science, Cassandra Armstrong

Professional Learning Day

During this session, we will explore the progression of science content and skills as presented in the Next Generation Science Standards as they build from Pre-K forward, with a focus on the expectations for K-2 students. By participating in three-dimensional activities, teachers will develop strategies to provide students with opportunities to build a strong foundation in science and STEAM.

Yellowstone, Elizabeth Martinez

Professional Learning Day

Roughly 3,500 square miles and the first National Park, Yellowstone is choked full of engaging science opportunities. Thermophiles, earthquakes, chemistry, geology, and human impact will be explored and connected to NGSS.

Efficient Inquiry: Rethinking The Science Class Experience, Karen Ye

Professional Learning Day

Are you looking for quick and engaging, inquiry-based activities to incorporate in your classroom? Inquiry-based investigations play a critical role in learning and can be used from introduction to application of scientific concepts. In this session, participants will embrace the definition of “inquiry-based” and look at ways to transform more traditional worksheets or lessons into an inquiry-based activity.

3-5 Foundational Science, Cassandra Armstrong

Professional Learning Day

During this session, we will explore the progression of science content and skills as presented in the Next Generation Science Standards as they build from Pre-K forward, with a focus on the expectations for 3-5 students. By participating in three-dimensional activities, teachers will develop strategies to provide students with opportunities to build a strong foundation in science and STEAM.

Illinois State Assessment, Elizabeth Martinez

Professional Learning Day

The new science assessment, which is for 5th, 8th, and 11th grades, is NGSS aligned. In this session we will look at the test design, as well as ISBE resources that will help you develop model assessment questions for use in your classroom.

Young Mathematicians: Stem Skills For Success, Lindsey Herlehy

Professional Learning Day

Our youngest STEAM learners are creative and curious, but require support and foundational skills in mathematics and science. Join us for a series of integrated activities that explore subitizing, sorting, drawing, patterns, and data analysis, and leave with new ideas of how to build these STEAM skills in your classroom and remote-learning environment.

6-8 Foundational Science, Cassandra Armstrong

Professional Learning Day

During this session, we will explore the progression of science content and skills as presented in the Next Generation Science Standards as they build from Pre-K forward, with a focus on the expectations for 6-8 students. By participating in three-dimensional activities, teachers will develop strategies to provide students with opportunities to build a strong foundation in science and STEAM.

Breaking Science Silos, Karen Ye

Professional Learning Day

While it is important for all students to engage in integrated STEM experiences, this can feel challenging in traditional subject specific settings. In this session, we will explore physical and life science activities that integrate STEM content across multiple disciplines. All are welcome as the activities and strategies focused upon are applicable across subjects and grade levels.

Einstein For 3rd Graders, Patrick Young

Professional Learning Day

Through children’s literature, we explore the life of a quirky boy who lived to think and dream. Hands-on STEM activities, related to Einstein’s work, are introduced as a way to address several of the required NGSS physical science standards for grade 3. We will learn about force, motion, electricity, and light using simple materials and the type of play once experienced by a boy growing up in his family’s electrical equipment shop. We will explore ways for students to document their physics discoveries through grade-appropriate writing.

K-5 Integrating Ela And Science, Elizabeth Martinez

Professional Learning Day

Science, never enough time. How do you gain time so students may experience STEM activities? Integrate Science and English Language Arts. Leave with example science lessons and ideas for supporting children’s literature that are centered around thinking, problem solving, developing ideas, and science topics.

Little Changes, Big Impact: Integrating Evolution In Science And Ela, Christine L. Moskalik, Nicole Ross

Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Playing With Code: Big Ideas For Early Learners, Lindsey Herlehy, Cassandra Armstrong

Publications & Research

For young children growing in today’s digital world, the acquisition of coding and computer programming skills has become a popular and appropriate focus in education. Beyond engaging in technology and coding applications as consumers – the passive act of sitting in front of a screen and merely pressing buttons without a high level of thought – early childhood students are capable of high-quality programming tasks through play-based learning experiences. As producers, our youngest students may explore the open-ended nature of computer programming and coding through design, art, and innovation. Engaging in coding builds valuable and transferable practices such as problem …

Playing With Math And Science In The Early Childhood Classroom, Cassandra Armstrong, Lindsey Herlehy

Publications & Research

Young students are equipped with the curiosity and creativity to be successful scientists and mathematicians. In today’s classrooms, strong foundational skills in STEM promote success for years to come. Through play, young students can subitize, sort, draw, recognize patterns, and explore loose parts. Participants will actively take part in several activities highlighting each of these skills.

Travel The World With Flags: Using Desmos To Explore Design With Equations & Inequalities, Kelly W. Remijan

Publications & Research

Explore and discover how to replicate flags of various countries using math concepts within Desmos such as: linear equations/Inequalities, absolute value equations/Inequalities, equations/Inequalities of circles, and domain/range.