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2019

Science

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Articles 31 - 60 of 84

Full-Text Articles in Education

High School Science And Social Studies Teachers' Self-Efficacy Regarding Literacy Instruction: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jennifer L. Ryan Jul 2019

High School Science And Social Studies Teachers' Self-Efficacy Regarding Literacy Instruction: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jennifer L. Ryan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore high school teachers’ self-efficacy regarding the incorporation of literacy instruction in high school science and social studies classes in a rural, public school district. In this qualitative research study, self-efficacy was generally defined as the teachers’ belief in how well they succeed at the task of including literacy instruction into their content area lessons. Albert Bandura’s (1997) self-efficacy theory and Shulman's (1986) pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) theory guided this study as it explored the teachers’ beliefs in their teaching abilities. Literacy instruction was defined as explicit instruction in word study, …

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Increasing The Participation And Success Of Struggling Students In High School Physics Courses, Ian O'Neill Jul 2019

Increasing The Participation And Success Of Struggling Students In High School Physics Courses, Ian O'Neill

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

O’Neill, I. Increasing the Participation and Success of Struggling Students in High School Physics Courses (2019) Physics is the most mathematically complex science course offered in the high school setting. Due to the higher level of mathematical proficiency needed to succeed in physics, it is common for school districts to place it as the final science course offered to high school students. Minnesota only requires students to take three years of science in order to graduate and has no specific requirement for physics. This has led to low enrollment and the negative stigma that physics is an unnecessary and difficult …

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Strategies To Enhance The Positive Effects Of Bilingualism, Danielle Mcmillan Jul 2019

Strategies To Enhance The Positive Effects Of Bilingualism, Danielle Mcmillan

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Supporting bilingual students is critical not only for the bilingual students but also for monolingual students. Prominent bilingualism in the classroom can translate to higher test scores, increased engagement, and long-term impacts on brain agility. This capstone project seeks to answer the question: What strategies are available to educators to enhance the positive effects of bilingualism in their students? The final result of this project is a website which includes a series of strategies focused on the four domains of language which seeks to meet the educational needs of both bilingual and mainstream students. The website includes a description of …

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What A Waste! A Secondary Environmental Science Unit On Waste Reduction And Management, Megan Wagner Jul 2019

What A Waste! A Secondary Environmental Science Unit On Waste Reduction And Management, Megan Wagner

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This writing serves as an introductory unit to waste management and reduction to be used in a high school urban environmental education classroom. The research question for this capstone was, does teaching environmental science through waste reduction and management in an urban classroom affect student engagement and connection? The research outlined in this paper explores and examines the concept of an urban classroom environment, the importance of teaching environmental science, and tools and materials to incorporate a unit on waste into an environmental science course. The paper goes on to explain the importance of educating students about the waste crisis …

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How Place-Based Education Increases Student Interpretation Of Minnesota's Landscape And Geologic Processes, Jessica Strom Jul 2019

How Place-Based Education Increases Student Interpretation Of Minnesota's Landscape And Geologic Processes, Jessica Strom

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Gaining perspective on one’s surroundings comes in many ways. One method to connect students to their local area and help them develop a sense of place is through place-based education. Making scientific-based observations and interpretations of a physical landscape and also interviewing community members can help students build an understanding of an area’s past and can help students make better educated decisions about how to take care of an area in the future. This capstone paper and curriculum unit project addressed the topic of how place-based education increases student interpretation of Minnesota's landscape and geologic processes. Place-based education is a …

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Teaching Chemistry Through An Environmental Science Lens And The Effect Of Student Understanding And Motivation In Learning High School Science, Sara Peterson Jul 2019

Teaching Chemistry Through An Environmental Science Lens And The Effect Of Student Understanding And Motivation In Learning High School Science, Sara Peterson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Research has shown that on average, student motivation for secondary sciences, especially physical sciences, decreases from ages nine to seventeen due to a perceived lack of connection to content. The curriculum designed for this project focuses on using socio-scientific issues (SSI) to relate an introductory knowledge of chemistry to environmental examples. Using SSI and real world, environmental examples has been shown to increase student understanding and interest in secondary science content. The project has combined the two to create a curriculum which lends to both socio-scientific issues and environmental examples to increase scientific relevancy in students. The curriculum will be …

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5th Grade Adaptation, Michael Carroll Jun 2019

5th Grade Adaptation, Michael Carroll

Understanding by Design: Complete Collection

A 10 day lesson plan for teaching students in the 5th grade about Biology; specifically on adaptation, inherited traits, and learned behaviors.

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Exploring Preservice Teachers’ Still-Life Paintings Of Crystals With Artist-Focused Compared To Science-Focused Introductions, Mahjabeen Hussain, Dessy Stoycheva, Audrey C. Rule, Denise A. Tallakson Jun 2019

Exploring Preservice Teachers’ Still-Life Paintings Of Crystals With Artist-Focused Compared To Science-Focused Introductions, Mahjabeen Hussain, Dessy Stoycheva, Audrey C. Rule, Denise A. Tallakson

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This experimental study was undertaken with preservice teachers to test whether the use of science integration into arts education increases demonstration of science details and creative features in artwork. Two conditions were created: arts-focused and science-focused; gouache still-life paintings were produced and analyzed, and an attitude survey was completed. The results suggested that science integration into visual arts classes increased creativity for the arts-focused condition and increased science concepts in the science-focused condition. Participants in both conditions reported positive attitudes, specifically, high levels of enjoyment, alluded to lack of experience with arts and creative projects, and expressed desire for more …

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Science Vs. Faith: The Great False Dichotomy, Ben Hayes, Sacha Walicord Jun 2019

Science Vs. Faith: The Great False Dichotomy, Ben Hayes, Sacha Walicord

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

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Comparing Science/Technology/Engineering Mcas Scores To Math And English Language Arts In Different Demographics, Kiley Camara May 2019

Comparing Science/Technology/Engineering Mcas Scores To Math And English Language Arts In Different Demographics, Kiley Camara

Honors Program Theses and Projects

In the United States, standardized tests are used to ensure that students are provided with the same essential knowledge their peers are getting. Standardized tests not only show children’s academic performance, but also demonstrate how the teachers are performing in comparison to other schools. The No Child Left Behind Act was created to help schools provide adequate resources for both the teachers and students in higher need schools. Massachusetts’ standardized tests are called the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System). The MCAS allows the Commonwealth to evaluate each school’s and district’s results in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science/Engineering/Technology in the …

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Spotlight Session Review: The Science Of Implicit Bias, Kayla Bryson May 2019

Spotlight Session Review: The Science Of Implicit Bias, Kayla Bryson

Race and Pedagogy Journal: Teaching and Learning for Justice

The following passages are student reviews and experiences of select Spotlight Sessions during the 2018 Race & Pedagogy National Conference (RPNC). Students from the African American Studies 399 Public Scholarship course attended various spotlight sessions and were given the assignment to write a review of their chosen session. This is one of those reviews.

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Six Ouachita Science Students Selected To Present At National Conference On Undergraduate Research, Madison Creswell, Ouachita News Bureau May 2019

Six Ouachita Science Students Selected To Present At National Conference On Undergraduate Research, Madison Creswell, Ouachita News Bureau

Press Releases

Six Ouachita Baptist University students from the Patterson School of Natural Sciences were selected to present their independent research projects at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) held at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga., April 11-13. NCUR is a biennial event that brings together students, faculty and academic professionals interested in the improvement and promotion of undergraduate research.

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Principles Of Engineering, Edu 4480, Course Outline, Euisuk Sung May 2019

Principles Of Engineering, Edu 4480, Course Outline, Euisuk Sung

Open Educational Resources

This course is a laboratory-based capstone course providing resources about engineering and engineering design methodology to enable the student teacher to study the relationship among mathematics, science and engineering. Focus is on the integration of the content of these disciplines into the secondary school technology curriculum and to stimulate student interest in pursuing engineering and technology careers.

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Science Vocabulary Acquisition: A Nonequivalent Control-Group Examination Of Vodcasts And Fifth Grade Students, Debra Bailey Lester May 2019

Science Vocabulary Acquisition: A Nonequivalent Control-Group Examination Of Vodcasts And Fifth Grade Students, Debra Bailey Lester

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the effect of using video podcasts (vodcasts) as a supplement to traditional science instruction in fifth grade students and those students who participated in traditional science instruction only. In this quantitative study, a quasi-experimental, pre-test/post-test nonequivalent control-group design was conducted using a sample population of fifth grade students at Bailey Elementary. After approval, the fifth grade students completed a pre-test of a released version of the North Carolina READY Science End of Grade Assessment, which also served as the study’s post-test. Participants in the treatment group received supplemental science instruction using content specific vodcast viewing sessions, provided …

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Culturally Responsive Teaching That Bridges Indoor And Outdoor Settings, Donald J. Burgess Apr 2019

Culturally Responsive Teaching That Bridges Indoor And Outdoor Settings, Donald J. Burgess

Secondary Education

Culturally responsive teaching is a pedagogy that embraces full equitable access to education for students from all cultures. These strategies include learning within the context of culture and implementing student-centered teaching while communicating high expectations. The primary purpose of our two summer projects was to reshape our approach to curriculum design and development by incorporating culturally responsive teaching strategies. Two case studies, a marine ecology program and an alternative route teacher education program, provide evidence that culturally responsive teaching translates well between indoor and outdoor settings. In the first study, we initiated discussions with Suquamish and Port Gamble S’Klallam tribal …

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A Curriculum Design For Emergent English Language Learners In Middle School Science, Allison Simpson Apr 2019

A Curriculum Design For Emergent English Language Learners In Middle School Science, Allison Simpson

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of this Capstone project is to design a curriculum for emergent English Language Learners (ELLs). This subgroup of students typically comes from a different educational background and speaks a different native language than native English-speaking students. This presents a challenge for educators to include modifications to their current curriculum. While most curricula include modifications for educators to use, they are usually not at the level Emergent ELLs need to be successful in the classroom. This curriculum focuses on emergent level students in the middle school science classroom. The research question is How do we meet emergent ELL students …

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Action Research: Effective Ways To Group Students In A Middle School Classroom, Shawna Russell Apr 2019

Action Research: Effective Ways To Group Students In A Middle School Classroom, Shawna Russell

Honors Projects

Effectively grouping students based on the lesson, activity, interests or ability is one of the most challenging things to do in a middle school classroom. This Action Research explores the effectiveness of flexible grouping students in a fifth- grade science classroom, and the impact on the students’ learning and engagement. Students were grouped four ways: mixed readiness, same readiness, learner profile, and interest. Six focus students were selected to be interviewed before and after implementing each method for grouping. Formative assessments and learner profile and interest surveys were used to flexibly group the students and create appropriate and engaging lessons. …

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Formative Assessment As A Method To Improve Student Performance In The Sciences, Natalie Miller Apr 2019

Formative Assessment As A Method To Improve Student Performance In The Sciences, Natalie Miller

Honors Projects

This study focused on utilizing formative assessment to shape student understanding and teaching practices in a junior high science classroom. Students were given a pre-test as a method of formative assessment and their results on the pre-assessment before instruction were compared to their performance on a modified post-test. Students received direct instruction, completed an independent project, and responded to daily “bellringer” questions as a form of additional formative assessment before taking the post-test. Students showed marked improvement on the post-test as average scores increased from a 35.7 percent to a 94.4 percent.

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Self-Efficacy And Stem Career Interest In Black And Latino Middle School Students: A Study On The Next Generation Science Standards, Whitney Mccormick Apr 2019

Self-Efficacy And Stem Career Interest In Black And Latino Middle School Students: A Study On The Next Generation Science Standards, Whitney Mccormick

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

With only 11% of the current Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) workforce being Black and Latino men and women, there is a crisis of underrepresented individuals in STEM fields. The construction of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and the mantra “all standards, all students,” represents an attempt to increase access to science for more students, and increase their self-efficacy about STEM subjects, as low self-efficacy is cited as one of the main causes of disinterest in STEM subjects. This study examined the relationship between students’ self-efficacy in STEM fields and their career interests, specifically in a population of …

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The Sals App: Making Chemistry Accessible With Ios Devices, Rosanne Hoffmann Apr 2019

The Sals App: Making Chemistry Accessible With Ios Devices, Rosanne Hoffmann

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

A new version of SALS (Submersible Audible Light Sensor) consists of a wireless light-detecting probe, Bluetooth ® connected to the iOS SALS App. As in previous versions of SALS, changes in detected light are converted to changes in sound, the latter now rendered with iPhone or iPad audio. The SALS probe assists the student with visual impairment in a variety of science activities, including those involving liquids. For example, when the SALS probe is placed in a reaction vessel, changes in light intensity caused by a chemical reaction or color indicator change are converted to changes in tone in real …

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Mad Scientists Club, Olivia Taylor Apr 2019

Mad Scientists Club, Olivia Taylor

Honors Expanded Learning Clubs

After school club that used demonstrations and experiments to teach elementary level students basic natural science fundamentals in an exciting, hands-on way.

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Learning Science In A Second Language, Alisha Tomsen Apr 2019

Learning Science In A Second Language, Alisha Tomsen

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project addresses the question, how to enrich and expand the vocabulary of kindergarteners in a Spanish immersion program through science lessons and science-focused learning objectives. The project was born from the author’s experience as a language-immersion primary teacher and her desire to create a space for more science in the classroom while also facilitating target language growth. Literature concerning second language acquisition, language immersion education, inquiry-based learning, national science standards, and connections between science and literacy were researched and consulted to create this project. A five-part professional development was created, directed towards primary-level immersion educators that focuses on supporting …

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Roots And S.T.E.M.: A Greenhouse Science Curriculum, Jaclyne Jandro Apr 2019

Roots And S.T.E.M.: A Greenhouse Science Curriculum, Jaclyne Jandro

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project addressed the question, how do I design a winter greenhouse curriculum for our high-school aged after-school internship program at Urban Roots that will be highly engaging, increase scientific understanding, and make our interns better farmers? With an exploration into the state of science education in the U.S., available greenhouse curriculum, the benefits of agricultural education, and greenhouse growing practices, and major influences from Larson, Bellevue, and Coleman, a sixteen week greenhouse and science curriculum for high-school aged youth was created. Each week consists of a three-hour, hands-on, inquiry-based lesson with focus on the scientific method and creating a …

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Authentic Science Curriculum In An Alternative High School Setting, Julia Brunner Apr 2019

Authentic Science Curriculum In An Alternative High School Setting, Julia Brunner

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Research has shown that when students are exposed to authentic inquiry-based curriculum they are more motivated and engaged in the content they are learning. The curriculum designed for this project utilizes Carol Ann Tomlinson and Jay McTighe’s theory of the need to integrate differentiation and the curriculum model of Understanding by Design. Students in Alternative Learning Programs (AEPs), often have negative experiences within education. Apathy and learning gaps are huge obstacles that need to be overcome in this setting. The project involved creating a curriculum that allowed for individualized learning and more student autonomy in their learning. Using the MN …

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Nature Journal Activity Guide - Grades 3-5, Jennifer Ann Hengel Apr 2019

Nature Journal Activity Guide - Grades 3-5, Jennifer Ann Hengel

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

If we want adults that are stewards for the environment, we need to include nature in education when they are younger so they can understand and appreciate the natural world. This need prompted the question, How do we utilize nature journals for school-age children to increase students’ understanding and appreciation of the natural world? Prior research has pointed to the benefits of teaching nature to youth, as well as the benefits of journaling in education. Nature journaling covers both sides of this equation, and helps foster sense of place and experiential learning. This capstone project was an activity guide similar …

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Using Novels In The Science Classroom To Increase Literacy In Middle School Students, Elizabeth Mae Das Apr 2019

Using Novels In The Science Classroom To Increase Literacy In Middle School Students, Elizabeth Mae Das

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Literacy in science is an important aspect of a student’s education. However, it is often not explicitly taught by teachers. The material chosen for reading is typically from a textbook, boring, and difficult to comprehend for most students due to the large number of low occurrence vocabulary words and sentence complexity. This is especially true of ELL students who are still developing their general vocabulary. This project was chosen after working in a school with a student population of over 90% ELL students who are mostly below grade level in reading. The research question for this project was how does …

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Substituting Traditional Homework With Outdoor Experiences, David Czepa Apr 2019

Substituting Traditional Homework With Outdoor Experiences, David Czepa

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Research has expressed that traditional homework has more negative effects associated with it than positive ones. Scholars have also concluded that frequent exposure to the outdoors greatly helps in the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and educational development of students of all ages, especially younger ones. This project takes time to answer the question: How can creating and substituting outdoor experiences for traditional homework increase the time students choose to spend outside when not in school? The curriculum designed for this project focuses on utilizing academic instruction during school hours to expose and educate children on the wonders and sophistication of …

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Inquiry-Based Learning Science Curriculum For Kindergarteners, Meghan Brady Apr 2019

Inquiry-Based Learning Science Curriculum For Kindergarteners, Meghan Brady

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project answers the question: How can teachers utilize inquiry-based learning while assessing success in kindergarten science education? The focus of this project was to explore inquiry to aide students in developing a deep understanding of science standards. Many different research studies were reviewed to explore the importance of science education in early elementary school. The research focuses on the areas of Next Generation Science Standards, inquiry-based learnings, and assessments. The project is a two-week unit designed to instruct kindergarten students in the Next Generation Science Standards of weather, engineering, and Earth systems. The major learnings, limitations, and benefits to …

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Preliminary Impacts Of Constructed Log Jams On Streambed Topography And Bed Temperature On The South Fork Nooksack River, Sam Kaiser Apr 2019

Preliminary Impacts Of Constructed Log Jams On Streambed Topography And Bed Temperature On The South Fork Nooksack River, Sam Kaiser

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Salmon are an essential part of the culture, ecology and economy of the Pacific Northwest region of North America, but populations of some ecotypes are declining. One specific population, the Puget Sound chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), is listed as threatened under terms of the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). The decline of this ecotype has implications not only for humans but also for all links of the ecosystem such as the populations of southern resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) which prey predominately on chinook salmon. Major threats to these fish include overharvest and habitat degradation due to …

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Equity In Stem: Utilizing Student Experience To Better Inform Policy And Practice, Natasha Hessami Apr 2019

Equity In Stem: Utilizing Student Experience To Better Inform Policy And Practice, Natasha Hessami

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

As women and people of color continue to pursue higher education and other advanced degrees, the STEM field consistently lags behind in diverse representation and leadership. There is a critical need to address the structural barriers marginalized groups face to accessing and succeeding in STEM and invest both time and money into innovative student-centered solutions. This project outlines the development of the CSE Student Ambassador program and implementation recommendations, the development and presentation of seminars focused on equity in the Biology and Chemistry departments, and general recommendations for faculty to make classroom and lab spaces more inclusive.

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