What an exciting time to be part of the Kofa Science department. Here is a great forum for us to blog. We can communicate our ideas and questions related to the adventure in curriculum that awaits. More to come later.
Congratulations to the Science Department for beginning the "blogging". We are up for some exciting developments in the curriculum both for Frosh and upper classmen.
How goes the "discovery" aspect of learning science? I have been doing some reading in an effort to be able to communicate and offer ideas. Discovery and project based learning is obviously nothing new, but it appears that, over time, our systems in education have felt it necessary to have a lot of knowledge in order to turn students loose on discovery. I wonder why? I have an 8th grader who has not had any significant lab in any science class. It is very sad to me that our students think science is boring.
So, what can we as Science teachers do to make science fun for our students? We love science. We most likely grew up watching PBS, because those were the days before NatGeo and the History channel. If we can't get our students excited about science than who can? I am starting a project in Chemistry and WOW!! The kids have jumped right into it. They are to come up with an experiment related to the gas laws. Many are making hot air balloons. Some are learning about scuba diving. I will keep you posted on how it works out.
I really think our teachers try to make science fun. It's certainly something that faces each individual every day. I love the fact that our teachers are looking to move to a discovery environment. Perhaps the act of discovery about science will engage the learner far more than the act of reading and answering questions first. I have often wished for a "do over" in my classroom experience as I know that I piled on work and was looking perhaps more for compliance than competency in skill. What a diservice to learners. Teachers HATE professional development like that; I certainly do too. My most rewarding PD is when I get to DO something and think and share with others. I expect our student learners would enjoy the same environment. They do, however, need to be taught THAT skill of thinking and sharing productively. Do they really have to define 30 words about a microwave to discover the learning about it? Isn't there a way to start big, catch 'em interested and then teach the need to know concepts? Is school really about memorizing words that we can all look up? We are professionals and get paid for teaching, but I bet we need to look up things, including words, whenever we do something new. Does that mean we should not be in a classroom? Does the fact that I need to look up board policy on something mean I can't be a Principal? I know where to find the information. I know I can ask someone else if I'm struggling with it.It is all relative. That is what Science should offer if we are truly looking to create thinkers. I believe our Science Department is moving and thinking and talking about our student needs. g
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ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the Science Department for beginning the "blogging". We are up for some exciting developments in the curriculum both for Frosh and upper classmen.
ReplyDeleteHow goes the "discovery" aspect of learning science? I have been doing some reading in an effort to be able to communicate and offer ideas. Discovery and project based learning is obviously nothing new, but it appears that, over time, our systems in education have felt it necessary to have a lot of knowledge in order to turn students loose on discovery. I wonder why? I have an 8th grader who has not had any significant lab in any science class. It is very sad to me that our students think science is boring.
So, what can we as Science teachers do to make science fun for our students? We love science. We most likely grew up watching PBS, because those were the days before NatGeo and the History channel. If we can't get our students excited about science than who can?
ReplyDeleteI am starting a project in Chemistry and WOW!! The kids have jumped right into it. They are to come up with an experiment related to the gas laws. Many are making hot air balloons. Some are learning about scuba diving. I will keep you posted on how it works out.
I really think our teachers try to make science fun. It's certainly something that faces each individual every day. I love the fact that our teachers are looking to move to a discovery environment. Perhaps the act of discovery about science will engage the learner far more than the act of reading and answering questions first. I have often wished for a "do over" in my classroom experience as I know that I piled on work and was looking perhaps more for compliance than competency in skill. What a diservice to learners. Teachers HATE professional development like that; I certainly do too. My most rewarding PD is when I get to DO something and think and share with others. I expect our student learners would enjoy the same environment. They do, however, need to be taught THAT skill of thinking and sharing productively. Do they really have to define 30 words about a microwave to discover the learning about it? Isn't there a way to start big, catch 'em interested and then teach the need to know concepts? Is school really about memorizing words that we can all look up? We are professionals and get paid for teaching, but I bet we need to look up things, including words, whenever we do something new. Does that mean we should not be in a classroom? Does the fact that I need to look up board policy on something mean I can't be a Principal? I know where to find the information. I know I can ask someone else if I'm struggling with it.It is all relative. That is what Science should offer if we are truly looking to create thinkers. I believe our Science Department is moving and thinking and talking about our student needs. g
ReplyDelete