Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Anchoring Phenomena With Light And Contact Forces, Larry Escalada, Alison Beharka

Science Education Update Conference Documents

OpenSciEd is a curriculum designed for the NGSS based on science storylines, phenomena-based, coherent from students’ perspective, driven by evidence, collaborative, and equitable. Instructional units for Grades 6-8 are available and will expand to include elementary through high school. Experience anchoring phenomena from Grade 6.1 Light & Matter and Grade 8.1 Contact Forces. UNI Science Education will be supporting the use of OpenSciEd with resources and future professional development.

Down For The Count - Rumford, That Is, Jeff Morgan

Science Education Update Conference Documents

Experience a PRISMS Plus activity that builds understanding of the energy transformations from gravitational work to heat using a few simple materials. Participants will build a device for converting mechanical energy into heat, and use temperature probes and appropriate calculations to determine the efficiency of the device. This activity builds foundational knowledge required for several of the Next Generation Physical Science Energy Standards at both the middle and high school levels.

The Teacher Institute For Evolutionary Science (Ties), Kristine Swartchick

Science Education Update Conference Documents

The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES) informs interested middle school science teachers about the most up-to-date concepts of natural selection, common ancestry, and diversity for them to confidently cover the topics in their classrooms and fulfill their curriculum requirements. TIES provides science teachers with innovative professional development opportunities, often in collaboration with biology professors and scientists researching current evolutionary trends. TIES also has ready-to-use online resources for the classroom, including presentation slides, labs, guided reading assignments, and an exam. All free! During the presentation, our presenter will model how to use our free slide presentation in the classroom. It …

The Iowa Secondary Energy Curriculum (Isec) Project - Update On New Curriculum, Kyle Gray

Science Education Update Conference Documents

The ISEC Project has developed 10 units that use Iowa's electrical energy needs as the phenomenon through which students address several earth science standards. I will preview some of the units and describe an opportunity for you to participate this summer.

A Twofold Approach To Addressing Under-Representation In Science, Matt Harding

Science Education Update Conference Documents

I teach in one of the largest public school districts in Iowa, and have always been bothered by how the demographics of my course rosters differ significantly from the diverse enrollment at my school. My talk will address some of what can be done to reduce gate keeping that limits opportunities for students that might not typically take courses like AP Physics, how I have managed to push-in to our ELL introductory science course with many of the same activities that I use in my grade level and AP physics courses, as well as my experience with AIP's STEP UP …

Is There Life In Space? How Do We Find Exoplanets?, Deetta Johnson

Science Education Update Conference Documents

Two separate sessions are being presented. You can attend one or both sessions. In the first hands-on session, participants will simulate the transit method of finding exoplanets by looking at star dimming. This activity uses accessible materials and shows students how scientists look for habitable planets outside our solar system. In the second session, participants will learn how students use the scientific method to make concrete samples and test them for strength. Students love doing this while learning about a natural resource important to Iowa. Student-made concrete samples will be shared. Appropriate for both Earth and Physical Sciences.

Iowa Pbs Iowa Science Phenomena, Tiffany Morgan

Science Education Update Conference Documents

Learn how you can start using local phenomena in your classroom today with Iowa PBS Iowa Science Phenomena. This session will introduce educators to the site and service, discuss phenomena-based teaching strategies, and share how teachers can contribute to the user-generated site! Participants are encouraged to bring their device so they can explore the site and tools.

Stem Problem-Based Learning For A Diverse Classroom Of Learners, Maria Hasken-Averkamp

Science Education Update Conference Documents

Engage in a hands-on, minds-on activity to engage ALL learners in the practices and concepts of science while employing a culturally responsive project-based learning framework. Session for middle school and high school science teachers.

Chemistry: The Dead Zone And Solubility, Holly Garcia

Science Education Update Conference Documents

Use the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico as a phenomenon for understanding ionic compounds, solutions, solubility rules, and predicting the outcomes of a chemical reaction (NGSS PS-1-2). At the end of this unit, students engineer a filtration system to remove pollutants and dissolved ions from contaminated water. This unit is designed to be taught during the first semester of an on-level Chemistry class (prior to stoichiometry).

How To Integrate Stem In Your Classroom With Ngss Foss, Larry Escalada, Alison Beharka

Science Education Update Conference Documents

STEM Enrichment NGSS Modules including Variables & Design (Grades 6-8), Sound & Design (Grades 3-5), and Forces in Action (Grades K-2) are now available. Join us as we explore these STEM Enrichment NGSS Modules and discuss how they can be used in your classroom. NGSS Modules Observing Nature (Grade Pre-K) and Weather and Seasons (Grade K) will also be available to be explored and reviewed.

Wild About Critters, Barb Giger

Science Education Update Conference Documents

The session will be targeted to elementary educators. It will include some quick engaging activities for teaching about animal groups, adaptations, and habitats from the national award-winning Project WILD and Aquatic WILD resources. I will also share links to additional online resources including age appropriate books, Iowa's natural resources, and outdoor observation and investigation.

Teaching Social Justice Issues Through Mathematics Curriculum, Lydia L. Butters

Research in the Capitol

I taught lessons from the textbook, High School Mathematics Lessons to Explore, Understand and Respond to Social Injustice (Berry et al., 2020) with revisions based on the interests and needs of the students(e.g. food deserts in the Midwest and ACT scores). Three lessons were taught in a statistics course at an urban school in the Midwest, while two other lessons were conducted in a geometry content course for pre-service K-8 teachers at a Midwestern University. Overall, high school students showed growth in their understandings of social justice issues and the uses of mathematics. While college students showed growth in their …

Identifying Misconceptions About Evolution Relative To Science Curriculum Exposure At The Secondary Level, Rachel Carney

Graduate Research Papers

Evolution is the foundation of the biological sciences. Addressing misconceptions related to biological evolution ensures students have a solid understanding of evolution so that they can become scientifically literate members of society. While studies have identified misconceptions about evolution, there is much less research on the degree to which specific biology curricula address these misconceptions. The goal of this study is to determine how exposure to the SEPUP biology curriculum affects the misconceptions about evolutionary theory held by 10th grade students.

This study took place at a moderately-sized school located in the Midwest. Students respond with their agreeability to a …

Shifting Preservice Teachers’ Sources Of Mathematics Teaching Efficacy Through Scaffolded Reflection: Fostering Commitment To Reform-Based Mathematics, Brooke Krejci, Elana Joram, Anthony J. Gabriele

Faculty Publications

Efforts to promote reform-based mathematics instruction in schools are pervasive, yet many teachers continue to use more traditional, procedural methods (Paolucci, 2015). In this chapter, the authors suggest that to achieve sustained adoption of reform-based instruction in mathematics, it is essential for professional development programs to draw teachers’ attention to sources of mathematics teaching efficacy afforded by reform-based teaching, such as enhanced student thinking. Educator preparation programs are ideal settings in which to begin this process, and the authors describe how scaffolded reflection activities within a mathematics methods course were used to focus preservice teachers’ attention on sources of mathematics …

Exploring High School Students' Perceptions Post A Social Justice Mathematics Lesson, Emily Terrones Moore

Honors Program Theses

Through the social justice mathematics that has been introduced into the classroom, students now explore issues in the world around them through the lens of mathematics. This study follows a class that was previously unfamiliar with social justice mathematics lessons by giving pre- and post-lesson surveys intending to show the impact of a social justice lesson that was taught over a series of three days on students’ perceptions. Specifically, I explored the impact a social justice mathematics lesson had on students’ view of themselves and mathematics. Particularly within the student perception of self, I examined the change of confidence levels …

High School Earth Science Students Evaluating Agricultural Solutions, Jaclyn Citlali Sanchez Erickson

Graduate Research Papers

With the Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) implementation it is imperative to include three-dimensional learning in any curriculum designed. In addition, NGSS lends itself well to inquiry based and project based learning.

I chose to focus my curriculum project on developing a project-based learning (PBL) piece targeting NGSS ESSS 3-4: Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems. The PBL was designed for ninth-grade earth science students at a rural school. This project was designed with 5 E-learning in mind to help organize the end product, a presentation. It was developed using an …

Use Of Technology And Its Impact On Higher Order Thinking In The Science Classroom, Mauree Angelina Haage

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study focuses on examining the impact of technology on higher order thinking in the science classroom by first examining the impact of a teacher’s knowledge of Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy on the integration of higher order thinking activities and then by examining what levels of higher order thinking exist when technology was utilized. Previous research has found correlations between the levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy exhibited when using technology, particularly probeware, simulations/virtual labs, and special software like LoggerPro. In addition, previous research has shown a trend of teachers inaccurately categorizing their lessons and activities as having a higher order thinking level …

Virtual Vs. In-Person Instruction: The Impact Of Teachers' Understanding Of Physics, Madelyn Johnson, Jeff Morgan Ph.D., Lawrence Escalada Ph.D.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Covid-19 forced nearly all U.S. schools to switch to virtual instruction in March of 2020. With students around the country and world now “Zooming” into class, it begs the question, does this new learning environment impact student learning? Conceptual assessments and observations were used to make conclusions about the differing effectiveness of instructional methods for professional development programs. Although results may indicate in-person instruction is more effective, I believe the most effective method of instruction is hybrid as it takes advantage of both virtual and in-person methods. To enable screen reader support, press Ctrl+Alt+Z To learn about keyboard shortcuts, press …

Including English Language Learners In Algebra One Instruction, Callie Irene Neighbor

Honors Program Theses

Inclusion in the classroom can be difficult for teachers, but it is essential for all students to have equal access to education while feeling included and engaged in the classroom. I am a senior in the Mathematics Teaching program at the University of Northern Iowa whose graduates teach secondary mathematics. I have chosen to focus my research on this topic to inform my future in student teaching and in my own classroom, I have decided to focus my research on high school Algebra One courses. Algebra One is the first high school level math class students will take, so including …

Impact Of Inquiry Science Courses On Preservice Elementary Students' Ideas On Science, Lance Charles Baetsle

Graduate Research Papers

This study examines how students' scientific ideas compare between students who have taken different numbers of general science and inquiry science courses at a midwestern university. The purpose of this study is to gain perspective and to inform current teaching practices based on how preservice elementary education teachers view scientific ideas after taking a different number of inquiry science courses. Students in a science inquiry course completed a science survey (Appendix B) of science and non-science questions and were asked to explain their reasoning. A scoring rubric (Wilson et al., 2010) was used to apply a score for correct and …

Promoting A Culture Of Student Self-Advocacy Within Secondary Science Classrooms, Elizabeth Anne Wessels

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the greatest source of self-efficacy that exists among 5-12 students in science through a meta-analysis of three previous studies. After analyzing the collected data, teaching strategies that aim to boost the most influential source of self-efficacy for students are recommended and briefly discussed. Gaining a better understanding of the sources self-efficacy, along with how to support these sources will help science educators understand how to support student self-advocacy.

Accuracy Of Self-Assessment In A Ninth Grade Earth Science Classroom, Alyssa Jacobson

Graduate Research Papers

Student engagement is a constant struggle teachers and schools work to address. Students who are not engaged are more likely to drop out of school and participate in risky behaviors that negatively impact themselves and society as a whole. As a means to combat student disengagement, school districts have begun to implement The New Art and Science of Teaching, a framework meant to engage students by involving them in the learning process through self-assessment.

The purpose of this study is to determine how accurately high school aged students can self-assess and how students make decisions when they self-assess. To …

Effects Of Stepwise Guided Inquiry On Students' Attitudes And Depth Of Knowledge From Written Lab Reflections In High School Chemistry, Melissa Rae Campbell Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

Many teachers find it challenging to embed guided inquiry into high school chemistry courses. Although guided inquiry provides excellent opportunities for students to engage in data analysis, misconceptions and loss of class time are teacher stated problems with guided inquiry. A stepwise inquiry project can slowly introduce students to the inquiry process of data analysis in high school chemistry.

This stepwise inquiry project examined three different inquiry labs designed around the anchoring phenomenon, “ Which toothpaste protects our teeth the best?”Each lab progressed in inquiry level. Lab one was written at inquiry level one,confirmation. The second lab was written at …

Analysis Of Assessments On Secondary Students' Development And Interpretation Of Models, Alaina L. Appley

Graduate Research Papers

As districts are making the shift to three-dimensional learning the development of a coherent set of high-quality task-based assessments has been a challenge. For this research I collected and analyzed twelve of my district's assessments over the scientific skill of modeling from grades seven through 12. The analysis involved two tools developed by NGSS and Achieve.org to determine the extent to which the assessments ask students to perform tasks that are driven by phenomena and use the three-dimensional in service of sense-making, the Task Screener and the Framework to Evaluate Cognitive Complexity in Science Assessments. The findings support what …

Immediate Vs. Deferred Feedback During Formative Assessments In A 9th Grade Physical Science Course, Jordan Sonntag

Graduate Research Papers

For educators, feedback has become a very important part of the teaching practice that is taught in both teacher education programs and building-level professional development. While many studies have been done on feedback itself, there is much less research on the effectiveness of certain types of feedback used within a Learning Management System (LMS). The goal of this experiment is to determine if there is any difference on summative assessment scores based on the use of different types of feedback on formative assessments using an LMS.

An LMS is a program that allows the educator to create step by step …

Enhancing Scientific Literacy Through Attention To Argumentation As A Disciplinary Literacy Practice, Whitney Mcwilliams

Graduate Research Papers

This project is partly driven by Science Writing Heuristic as writing to learn is part of a larger objective to help students develop literacy. While research on the SWH examines its own effectiveness through the lens of literacy, it only looked at its impact on science content knowledge. This project will examine five assessment tasks structured around the practice of argumentation. Data collected will measure use and inclusion of phenomena, three dimensional learning, and alignment to Performance Expectations. The content of the performance expectations center around two standards focused on electromagnetic radiation’s effect on matter and technological devices used to …

Autoethnography On Teaching During A Pandemic, Kelsey Ufford

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted and changed teaching strategies in a young adolescent science classroom and how the pandemic changed personal ideas around online learning. Prior research shows how online learning can be implemented successfully in collegiate classrooms, but it is rare to find research that shows how to successfully implement online learning in a young adolescent classroom. This point of view is from a rural, Iowa middle school standpoint and data was collected through the use of personal journals, emails, and a timeline from March 2020 and May 2020. After the …

Human Impact On The Environment: A Middle School Project Based Learning Unit Development, Shannon Power

Graduate Research Papers

I chose to focus my creative component on the development and implementation of a Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned earth science unit for an 8th grade science course taught using Project Based Learning (PBL) and graded using Standards Referenced Grading (SRG) philosophies and a proficiency scale. The unit focused on the Performance Expectation MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment (NGSS, 2013e). This standard includes the Science and Engineering Practice (SEP) of constructing explanations and designing solutions, a Cross Cutting Concept (CCC) of cause and effect, and a …

Developing Arduino Coding Curriculum, Tyler Brown, Riley Bucheitte, Timothy Kidd

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

No abstract provided.

Maximizing Participation In An Online Mathematics Course, Lauren Falck, Douglas Shaw

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

No abstract provided.