Statistics for General Level Science: Part 4 Expressing Error on a Graph
(W July 1, 2-3:30 pm EDT) 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 […]
In Case I Am Teaching Biology Online in 2020-21: Part 4 Evolution Unit Topics
(M July 1, 4-5:30 pm EDT) In this series, we will rework one unit of the biology curriculum each session with a goal of stripping down the content and skills to create a list of priorities in case students are working online when this unit is taught. As a group of peers, general level, Pre-AP, […]
Online Teaching Techniques: Using Competitions in an Online Class
(W July 1, 6-7:30 pm Eastern Daylight Time) Competitions are assignments that guide students through a preliminary exploration, data collection, analysis, reflection, and revision in a repeating cycle. This process leans on the scientific method and helps students practice character skills such as persistence, curiosity, critical thinking, and self-direction. For my own purposes, I will […]
Student-designed Experiments: Part 1 Developing Curiosity
(M July 6, 12-1:30 pm Eastern Daylight Time) In this workshop we will practice a repeatable structure for introducing a topic that will be studied through scientific exploration using a remote teaching and learning platform. We will help our students conduct a preliminary investigation at home developing interest in a particular phenomenon by generating data […]
Math-infused Science: Choosing the Most Appropriate Graph
(M July 6, 2-3:30 pm Eastern Daylight Time) Students aren’t the only ones who struggle to determine the best way to display data in graphic form. Because there are usually many representations that can be used, and each may encourage the reader to make slightly different conclusions, deciding on the most appropriate graph can be […]
In Case I Am Teaching Biology Online in 2020-21: Part 5 Anatomy and Physiology Unit Topics
(M July 6, 4-5:30 pm EDT) In this series, we will rework one unit of the biology curriculum each session with a goal of stripping down the content and skills to create a list of priorities in case students are working online when this unit is taught. As a group of peers, general level, Pre-AP, […]
Statistics for General Level Science: Part 1 Measuring and Reporting Uncertainty
(M July 6, 6-7:30 pm EDT) All measurements include some degree of uncertainty or error, but how it is reported is decided by the person collecting the data. Because analysis is dependent on the data collected, the method used to report error can substantially impact the strength of the claims made and conclusions drawn. In […]
Statistics for Teaching General Level Science: The Problem with Describing Data Using the Mean
(Tu July 7, 12-1:30pm Eastern Daylight Time) Often by middle school and certainly by high school, students default to the mean as the best way to describe data without much consideration for how they might defend that choice. So, you might think, what’s the harm in that? Everyone knows what is meant by this descriptor, […]
Remote Teaching and Learning Series: Part 2 Holding Synchronous Video Classes
(Tu July 7, 2-3:30pm Eastern Daylight Time) In this 1.5-hour workshop, we will compare several online streaming platforms that you may find useful for class meetings. We will go over the pros and cons of several popular programs (Zoom, Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and Webex) discussing why you may choose one over another. This is […]
Online Teaching Techniques: Using Team Challenges in an Online Class
(Tu July 7, 4-5:30pm Eastern Daylight 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 […]