Educational Methods Commons^™

Introductory Classical Mechanics: An Alternate Order Of Concepts, Eric Hawker

Professional Learning Day

A novel approach to teaching an introductory physics course is to study the principles of classical mechanics in the order of increasing complexity. Participate in this session to explore an interesting series of progression: from concepts that describe an object at rest, to an object with constant velocity, followed by those that describe how an object’s velocity can change, and finally, gravity. This session will engage participants in the study of this progression and include discussion.

Noaa Data Resources For The Classroom, Peg Steffen

Professional Learning Day

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has many rich data resources that can inspire students to understand real world problems. This session will explore sites that provide curated and real-time data for middle and high school students. Sample offerings from NOAA’s Data in the Classroom, weather and climate data sites, Ocean Today, coastal data, and paleoclimate (proxy) data. Participants will receive a list of useful sites for reference.

Physics Labs From Your Phone, Brooke Schmidt, Anastasia Perry

Professional Learning Day

This session will provide an overview of available online platforms and phone apps that can be used to engage students in physics labs. The topics include Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Waves and Sound. A variety of freely available materials including lesson plans will be shared with participants. These resources can be used in the virtual learning environment, and can be incorporated as a form of alternative assessment during regular face-to-face instruction. Participants need to install a free phone app ‘Phyphox’ for this session.

Teaching Interactive Stem Virtually, Carolyn Harvey

Professional Learning Day

Teaching immersive, hands-on STEM activities over a virtual platform is challenging. Even when schools are able to return to a normal in-person schedule, it will be necessary to have virtual lessons prepared. In this session you will learn helpful tips and tricks to keep students mentally, emotionally, and physically engaged in virtual STEM activities based on what was learned during virtual Summer@IMSA’s 2020 programs. Suggested materials include string (any type), small metal washer, 12” ruler, scissors, and masking/painters tape.

Easy Latex For Math Teachers, Brent Yen, Evan Brummet, Lingyi Meng

Professional Learning Day

LaTeX is a typesetting system for the educator who wants to create documents with beautifully typeset mathematics. Have you ever been frustrated looking for the right symbol or formula when creating math on an online platform? In this workshop we will introduce participants to basic LaTeX and show how it can be useful for online platforms that you might already be using like Desmos, Formative, Canvas, MS Word, and even Gmail! We are happy to tailor the demonstration to answer any specific questions raised by participants.

Scientific Inquiry And Research At Imsa, Sowmya Anjur, Dave Devol

Professional Learning Day

In this session, we will describe scientific inquiry and research at IMSA. We will describe the requirements for SIR, the SIR structure we have on campus, the modifications we have made during the pandemic, and how we help students develop leadership skills and success through this program. We will also discuss IMSAloquium and disciplines of research.

A Focus On Ngss And High School Life Sciences, Nicole Ross

Professional Learning Day

In this session educators will engage in a brief discussion about High School level Next Generation Science Standards in Life Science. Sample activities will be presented that act as examples of how to approach some of these standards in the classroom, without overhauling existing curricula.

Diversity Think Tank *Double Session Exclusively For D204 Educators, Adrienne Coleman

Professional Learning Day

Reflect, Reframe, and Reimagine your STEM classroom. In this course educators will have an opportunity to examine their conscious and unconscious biases and their potential impacts in the classroom culture and curriculum. We will unpack the history of STEM and the individual, institutional, and environmental influences that have contributed to some of the notable educational gaps. Lastly, using the D-STEM Equity model educators will gain strategies to employ a more culturally relevant pedagogy and develop a more inclusive classroom culture.

Implementing The Best Practices Of Online Teaching And Learning Into Your Virtual Classroom: Focus On Instructional Design And Pedagogy, Richard Schultz

Professional Learning Day

When most educators went online in 2020, challenges arose when pivoting rapidly from a physical classroom to a virtual setting. Many had little time for professional development to envision what a great online experience looks like. This session focuses on online teaching and learning: pedagogy and instructional design fostering engagement and on behalf of the students.

(Easy) Gamification With Game Day Stem, Elaine Wu

Professional Learning Day

Gamification is becoming an increasingly hot trend in the education world, but what does it actually mean, why is it so effective in getting students engaged and motivated, and how can it be implemented? Come join us in this session where we will explore these questions and see some practical applications of gamification principles implemented during our 2020 Summer@IMSA Game Day STEM virtual camp that can also be readily applied to your classrooms.

Stem Books And Lessons: K-5, Elizabeth Martinez

Professional Learning Day

There are a multitude of books available for use in STEM classes, as well as many methods for connecting them to curricula. Join us as we explore several K-5 STEM appropriate books, share ideas for related STEM lessons, connections to NGSS, as well as interdisciplinary approaches. Leave with a list of STEM books, some sample lesson plans, and cost effective materials ideas.

Trends In Computer Science Education, Namrata Pandya

Professional Learning Day

Although crucial for our students’ future success, access to a computer science (CS) education is still not universal. Education leaders must better understand the perceptions of CS and access to CS learning opportunities to maximize students’ potential for growth in an ever-changing technological world. What can we do as teachers? We will have a conversation about online resources, teaching certification, and offering CS courses to the students to prepare them better for the future.

Not Just A Story: Genetics And Probability, Nicole Ross

Professional Learning Day

In this session educators will engage in an Integrative STEM-based activity framed in a fictional story. This story integrates well with mathematical concepts of probability and chance, along with science concepts such as heredity, geared towards 6th through 12th grades. This session is interactive. Please attend with a set of two coins, some masking tape, and a pen or marker, along with some paper to write on.

Discussion Board Ideas For High School Science, Angela Ahrendt, Laura Kopff

Professional Learning Day

This session will share some ideas for bringing online discussion board assignments into your classroom. We will share a few examples of assignments including components such as infographics, diversity and equity, and intermolecular forces, as well as give ideas for how to transition a traditional assignment into a discussion board assignment. Feel free to bring examples of discussion board assignments that have worked for you, and/or an assignment that you would like to transition into a discussion board assignment.

Hands-On Stem (Even In The Virtual Space): Bioluminescent Jellyfish Model, Christine L. Moskalik

Professional Learning Day

Come see how FUN, relevant, hands-on STEM can happen successfully in your (virtual or in-person) classroom as we build a bioluminescent jellyfish model together. Using only a few basic supplies (see materials list & bring supplies to build your own), this activity will help you engage students while addressing a variety of STEM concepts; modeling, jellyfish anatomy & physiology, jellyfish life cycle, jellyfish adaptations, and/or chemical reactions of bioluminescence.

Chemistry Happy Hour: Simple And Smart Spectrometry, Karen Ye

Professional Learning Day

In this session, educators will engage in an activity in which they utilize a free color app on a smartphone to analyze the transmittance and absorbance of light through colored solutions. This hands-on activity is a simple and inexpensive way for chemistry students to explore absorption spectrometry concepts and can be implemented for virtual learning or used in any classroom with limited or no access to spectrophotometers. Suggested materials for this session include: 5 clear 9 oz. Plastic cups, 2 cup glass measuring cup, ¼ cup measuring cup, 2 cup mason jar, food coloring (red or blue) smartphone with the …

Integrated Inquiry: Three-Act Stem Tasks, Lindsey Herlehy

Professional Learning Day

Mathematicians and scientists view their subjects within interesting and natural contexts. In this session, participants will engage in a STEM-integrated Three-Act Task; a story-telling pedagogical strategy that elicits student curiosity, collaboration, and questioning. Beginning with a rich problem, this instructional approach redefines real-world applications and clarifies the role that the student plays in the learning process. Participants will receive resources to access Three-Act tasks appropriate for middle and high school grade levels.

The G-Suite Life, Cassandra Armstrong, Karen Ye

Professional Learning Day

As we continue to navigate a world of remote and hybrid learning options, teachers are continuously seeking new ways to give and receive information from students. In this session, we will explore four unique teaching method/resources that are available through Google G-Suite. Topics include: making and sharing drag and drop activities using Google Slides, using the Document Studio Excel Add-on, creative uses for Google Jamboard, and using Google Slides as an organizational tool.

Treasure Or Forgery: A Challenge In Basic Measurements, Patrick Young

Professional Learning Day

Chinese antiquities may be readily found for sale on eBay. Ancient coins may be purchased for very reasonable prices. Are these authentic artifacts, or modern forgeries? An investigation will include measurements and calculations to identify the metals involved. Using only inexpensive, school-grade equipment, students are challenged to solve the mystery. Success will hinge on careful technique, thoughtful reasoning, and a considerations of measurement uncertainty.

Teaching Physics And Engineering Remotely (And What We Plan To Keep When We’Re In Person), Peter Dong, Mark Carlson

Professional Learning Day

Physics and engineering pose special challenges for remote learning, but the process of re-inventing a class provides an opportunity for looking at teaching and assessment in a new light. We share some of the techniques we used, including analysis of the physics of YouTube clips, pursuing hands-on projects and labs at home, and submitting videos explaining problems--some of which worked, some of which didn’t, and some of which were good enough to continue even when we’re back in person.

Biofilms: Impacts On Humans, The Environment, And Infrastructure, Elizabeth Martinez

Professional Learning Day

Biofilms are having a greater impact on human health, the environment, and modern infrastructure; thus, they are receiving more attention from the science community and media. Background on biofilms and their impacts will be discussed. A lab, resources, and how to incorporate the topic into your biology curriculum will also be shared.

Students In The Lead: Game Design In The Classroom, Peggy Steffen

Professional Learning Day

Game design can be woven into any science curricula, providing a way for students to learn science content and to creatively apply what they have learned. Games are increasingly used in educational settings to help inspire curiosity, creativity, collaboration, optimism, and problem-solving skills among a wide variety of audiences. Serious games address real-world challenges, compress time and space, encourage systems thinking, and promote active engagement, making them particularly well suited to conservation and science education.

Climate Change - Designer Bags, Allison Albert

Professional Learning Day

This session will focus on repurposing materials to reduce landfill debris. Participants will plan, design, and develop a new product from plastic. This fun hands on activity is great for problem centered learning.

Code Of The Wild, Patrick Young

Professional Learning Day

K-2 students love to create stories about their favorite animals. Using free software called ScratchJr, participants will learn to teach basic Computational Thinking skills that allow K-2 students to create animated stories about animals in their natural environments. Participants should bring a laptop or tablet.

Dna, Rna, & Proteins, Oh My!, Cassandra Wissink Armstrong

Professional Learning Day

A staple topic in any life science classroom, we will take a look at some innovative ways to not only teach these topics, but assess them using the Next Generation Science Standards.

Picture Books And Engineering: Dare To Tinker, Lindsey Herlehy

Professional Learning Day

Up for a challenge? Join us for a K-2 STEM integrated workshop based upon the picture book The Most Magnificent Thing. Connecting literature with engineering, questioning techniques and inferential reasoning strategies will focus on the trials and tribulations, frustrations, and successes achieved by the protagonist, a little girl. Participants will engage in a design challenge to construct their own magnificent thing while working within constraints. Counting, graphing, working with money, and measurement will be emphasized.

Dare to Tinker: including Teacher's Page and student resources

Stem, Not S-T-E-M! A Workshop On Integrative Teaching, Nicole Ross

Professional Learning Day

Are you tired of experiencing STEM activities that really only focus on one content area within the acronym? Join us for a workshop on integrative STEM. We will begin with a general introduction to what an Integrative activity entails, move on to some quick examples and then jump into developing an original integrative STEM activity. Be prepared to think creatively and take risks as we explore the "multi-content-verse" in which STEM lives

Universal Mental Health Screening: Why Is It Needed And How To Get Started, Kevin Kusy

Professional Learning Day

Schools screen for physical and medical purposes, but less than 15% of schools in the United States screen for mental health needs. The purpose of this session is to discuss what mental health screening is, how it can help your community, and how to start the process of implementing it based on community needs.

Inquiry Based Teaching & Learning Panel, Kelly Lofgren, Dave Devol

Professional Learning Day

In this session, IMSA students and faculty will share their experiences with using a strong inquiry model of teaching and learning. Students will share their excitement and frustrations with learning to ask questions to drive their learning. Faculty will share their successes and evidence on the power of this type of learning. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions and engage in the conversation.

Analyzing Student Work, Valentina Sorescu, Christine Loos

Professional Learning Day

No abstract provided.