(Tu Feb 16, 7-8:30pm Eastern Standard Time) How do we talk about data? How do we write about data? In this 1.5 hr. workshop you will discover ways to help your student be specific, using the correct terms, in context, as they identify and describe trends in a set of numbers. We will play two games useful for building a working vocabulary and increasing student reliance on mathematically accurate communication. We will touch on formal statements of ‘statistical significance’ as…

(W Feb 17, 11am-12:30pm Eastern Standard Time) The variance, standard deviation, and standard error of the mean are excellent methods for describing data because they convey the variability of the observed data around mean. Anyone teaching Pre-AP, Pre-IB, or college-bound students will likely want to know how to calculate these values, what they indicate, and how to contextualize them so they can better prepare their students for use in scientific research. In this workshop, we will calculate each descriptor by…

(W Feb 17, 1-2:30pm Eastern Standard Time) Combat attrition with engaging assignments that can be sculpted to the student’s abilities and interest. Stop-animation videos are a short movies made with a series of photos taken from the same position and a handful of items that can be moved about to create story. In this1.5 hr. workshop, you will create your own stop-animation video of processes or phenomena, to cover main ideas or convey detailed information. Through this experience, you will…

(F Feb 19, 11am-12:30pm Eastern Standard Time) Online learning does not have to be devoid of depth, there are plenty of ways to hone your teaching skills and challenge your students within the confines of teaching remotely. During this 1.5-hour workshop, you will take part in several assignments that foster higher-order thinking in an asynchronous learning environment. You will play the role of the student as we try out activities that work well in online classrooms so you can experience…

(F Feb 19, 1pm-2:30pm Eastern Standard Time) Although there are many authors who cite their model or use their preferred terms, the cycle of inquiry essentially boils down to actions the student takes to apply concepts and reflect upon them before applying them again. This method can be harnessed to provide visible thinking by asking students to share the questions that arise, map out methods to test their understanding, and note the conclusions that emerge from observations and reflection. When…

(Tu Feb 23, 7-8:30pm Eastern Standard Time) Using manipulatives found in our homes, we will simulate two common field science experiments:  Lincoln’s Index for measuring abundance and Simpson’s Index for measuring biodiversity. Participants in this 1.5 hr. workshop will gather evidence and make calculations that can be used to describe the health of and changes in an ecosystem. Each activity will be followed with the creation of a student-designed experiment that can be performed at home to reinforce the technique…

(W Feb 24, 11am-12:30pm Eastern Standard Time) Error bars are placed on a graph to give a more detailed account of what was observed.  Although there are many descriptors that can be used to draw error bars, in each case the value is used to express the uncertainty or variability of the data. Error bars created from certain calculations are especially informative for giving the reader a hint at the significance of the difference seen between two variables, and can…

(W Feb 24, 1-2:30pm Eastern Standard Time) Whether for STEM, foreign language, arts, or humanities, applying information is one of the most effective ways for a student to increase their level of understanding and for a teacher to assess mastery of knowledge and skills. Team challenges include any activity that asks a cooperative group to use what they have learned to accomplish a goal. For my own purposes, I will differentiate challenges from competitions by defining a challenge as an…