Educational Methods Commons^™

The Bisection Method: A Single Technique Yielding Simple Proofs Of The Four "Hard" Theorems Of Calculus, Anderson Trimm

Professional Learning Day

The Intermediate Value Theorem, Boundedness Theorem, Extreme Value Theorem, and Integrability Theorem are all vital theorems of Calculus, yet are almost never proved in calculus textbooks. I will give simple proofs of these theorems using the Bisection Method, explain how I incorporated these into inquiry-style lessons at IMSA, and discuss the benefits to students. As a connection to Computer Science, the Bisection Method can be viewed as a Binary Search Algorithm.

Terminal Velocity Project: Parachute, Brooke Schmidt, Anastasia Perry

Professional Learning Day

This project is meant for a high school physics course where the students have studied Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation, Newton's Second law, and free fall motion. The students construct their own parachute, record a video in LoggerPro of the parachute in motion, and analyze the data to calculate the drag coefficient of their parachute.

Identifying And Strengthening Existing Support For Students On A Research To Publication Pathway, Connie James-Jenkin, Sowmya Anjur, Jean Bigger, Amberly Carter, Raven Mckelvin '24

Professional Learning Day

Participants will 1) learn how IMSA is generating and disseminating scholarship and incorporating students on a Research to Publication pathway, 2) discover classroom activities that support and promote an understanding of scientific inquiry and the nature of research, 3) discuss student work in IMSA’s repository and student portfolios, 4) hear how we are engaging and supporting our CLED students, like Raven McKelvin ’24, who will share her experience as an Intern and student liaison.

Steam Al Estilo Latino, David Hernandez

Professional Learning Day

Celebrate Hispanic heritage through STEAM! This presentation was designed specifically for students to explore and embrace the Hispanic/LatinX culture. This curriculum will guide the students to experience a combination of STEAM and traditions focusing on the Hispanic influence on America culture. Students will learn and create “Alebrijes” the STEAM way.

The Mathematics Of City Planning And Crisis Management, Patrick Young

Professional Learning Day

What if you managed a small city that was beset by severe weather and an influx of climate refugees? What types of math would your team need to employ to adapt your city to deal with these crises? Try some sample activities and gain access to an entire curriculum developed to integrate career awareness with middle school math standards.

Animated Puppets: Coding And Creating With The Humanities, Devon Madon, Jeff Sweeton

Professional Learning Day

CodeCreate coaches students in basic circuitry, media and performing arts, robotics and computer programming, illustration and 3D design. We will facilitate a hands on experiences with animated puppetry and engage the audience in meaningful considerations of intersections of art, technology and other forms of diversity. We will also be previewing and discussing free and low-cost tools and methods and their role in common curriculum. Attendees must bring a computer

Teaching The Engineering Cycle Through A Series Of Projects, Eric Hawker, Mark Carlson

Professional Learning Day

The goal of this session is to show how a series of similar engineering projects can help students not only understand the engineering cycle but also other aspects of engineering such as communication, inclusion, goal setting, and planning and organization. Attendees may choose to bring their own safety eyewear.

99 Problems? Pbl Can Help: An Intro To Problem Based Learning, Nicole Ross, Allison Albert

Professional Learning Day

Classroom engagement got you down? Perhaps Problem Based Learning (PBL) can help. PBL is an instructional technique that engages students in content-based problem solving of a real-world issue. In this session, participants are immersed in a short PBL experience, learn the fundamentals of PBL implementation and begin the design process by exploring how to identify a real-world problem that can be solved by the students in their classroom.

Mastery Based Grading For Secondary Mathematics, Anderson Trimm

Professional Learning Day

Dr. Trimm will discuss in detail his design and implementation of a mastery grading system in calculus at IMSA and how it offers many benefits over traditional grading. Dr. Trimm will also explain how it makes creating assessments and grading easier and less work for the teacher, while being more accurate.

Computational Thinking In Physics Class - Without Programming!, Peter Dong

Professional Learning Day

Computational thinking and the use of computers to solve problems is rapidly becoming an indispensable skill, and physics class is one natural place to develop it. However, the perceived necessity of learning a programming language can deter both teachers and students from approaching this crucial topic. We will show how a simple spreadsheet can be used to solve remarkably complex physics problems, some of them analytically unsolvable, in just a few minutes. Attendees must bring a computer.

A Look Into Leadership, Emma Wilson

Professional Learning Day

IMSA’s Leadership Education & Development program (LEAD) is a student-facilitated course for sophomore students. We believe that leadership can be learned so we take an intricate look at various definitions, theories, models, and conceptualizations of leadership. Students are challenged to think critically about leadership during peer-to peer facilitated class discussions, hands-on exercises, and group work. Join us to dive into this course while participating in hands-on, leadership-based activities that are great for the classroom!

Earth & Environmental Storylines For A More Sustainable & Resilient Illinois, Cheryl Manning, Nicole Ladue

Professional Learning Day

Illinois critical zone scientists and engineers are studying how human behaviors and
environmental changes affect Earth’s thin layer from solid bedrock to the tops of trees.
Inspired by critical zone science, Illinois teachers collaborated to create seven NGSS style storylines addressing regional sustainability and resilience issues including soils, invasive species, flooding, erosion, water scarcity and quality, subsidence, and Illinois’ connection to the Gulf of Mexico dead-zone. Learn about these storylines and how to create your own. Attendees must bring a computer.

Unit #7: Steam Resources, Lindsey Herlehy, Cassandra Armstrong

Little STEAMers: Early Learning Program

No abstract provided.

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 …

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.

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.

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 math and science. Through play-based, open-ended explorations, young students can engage in STEAM-learning skills such as subitizing, sorting, drawing, and patterns. In this session, participants will actively take part in activities highlighting each of the mathematical foundations, examine STEAM-integrated tasks that support these concepts, and share resources to be used in the classroom.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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

Publications & Research

No abstract provided.