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Full-Text Articles in Education

Session E-2: Sharing Analogies And Demonstrations To Reinforce Chemistry Concepts, Dave Devol, Angela Ahrendt Mar 2017

Session E-2: Sharing Analogies And Demonstrations To Reinforce Chemistry Concepts, Dave Devol, Angela Ahrendt

Professional Learning Day

Chemistry concepts can often be difficult for students to understand, in part due to the fact that we are discussing with students things that cannot be seen (atoms and molecules!). Analogies that relate chemistry concepts to things that students are more familiar with can be a powerful way to help them understand concepts, as can demonstrations that make concepts come to life visually. We will share a few of our favorite analogies/demos, and ask that each participant share one of their favorite analogies or demos. As we realize it would be difficult for visiting teachers to bring what they need …


Session D-1: Lies, Damn Lies, And Statistics, Peter Dong, Joseph Traina Mar 2017

Session D-1: Lies, Damn Lies, And Statistics, Peter Dong, Joseph Traina

Professional Learning Day

The crucial and sometimes difficult areas of data analysis and statistics can be made clearer by looking at examples of how they can be done badly - examples which, unfortunately, are easy to find. We share our experience teaching a short course which examines disingenuous graphs, biased surveys, deliberately misworded statements, and other methods of misrepresenting data. The negative examples provide an opportunity to discuss how statistics should properly be done, and explain what can happen when statistics are used incorrectly. We include a discussion of the failure of polls to predict the outcome of the presidential election.


Session D-5: Informal Comparative Inference: What Is It?, Karen Togliatti Mar 2017

Session D-5: Informal Comparative Inference: What Is It?, Karen Togliatti

Professional Learning Day

Come and experience a hands-on task that has middle-school students grapple with informal inferential reasoning. Three key principles of informal inference – data as evidence, probabilistic language, and generalizing ‘beyond the data’ will be discussed as students build and analyze distributions to answer the question, “Does hand dominance play a role in throwing accuracy?” Connections to the CCSSM statistics standards for middle-school will be highlighted.


Session A-3: Three-Act Math Tasks, Lindsey Herlehy Mar 2017

Session A-3: Three-Act Math Tasks, Lindsey Herlehy

Professional Learning Day

Participants will engage in a Three-Act Math task highlighting the application of properties of geometrical figures. Developed by Dan Meyer, an innovative and highly regarded mathematics instructor, Three-Act Math tasks utilize pedagogical skills that elicit student curiosity, collaboration and questioning. By posing a mathematical problem through active storytelling, this instructional approach redefines real-world mathematics and clarifies the role that a student plays in the learning process. Participants will be given multiple resources where they can access Three-Act Math tasks appropriate for upper elementary grades through Algebra and Geometry courses.


Session A-1: Bca Method, Focusing On Mole Ratios In Stoichiometry, Carmela Jones, Deb Scarano, Anita White Mar 2017

Session A-1: Bca Method, Focusing On Mole Ratios In Stoichiometry, Carmela Jones, Deb Scarano, Anita White

Professional Learning Day

Traditionally stoichiometry is done using dimensional analysis. Although effective, it is confusing, messy, and does not focus on mole ratios. On the other hand, the BCA method (Before-Change-After), is clear, clean, and highlights the mole ratios in a chemical reaction. Participants will collect mass data in an experiment and learn how to use a BCA table. Teachers will bring the BCA method back to their classrooms and provide an extremely useful tool for the next generation of chemistry savvy students.


Session C-1: Modeling Stem Activities Into Classroom Practice, Sowmya Anjur Mar 2017

Session C-1: Modeling Stem Activities Into Classroom Practice, Sowmya Anjur

Professional Learning Day

Students understand concepts better when they have had a chance to work hands on with relevant material. Examples will be presented from my classroom where difficult concepts have been modeled into simple experiments with considerable success in enhancing student understanding. Special focus will be given to selected topics that students seem to have the most difficulty grasping. The objective is to enable students to transfer their understanding to solve complex problems with considerable ease and apply their understanding to real world scenarios on assessments. Suggestions will also be provided for implementation of various concepts into the high school classroom.