Developing and Using Models Part 2
In this 1.5-hour workshop, we will explore 3-dimensional modeling for use in Next Generation science and math courses. Helping prepare students for a career in science or mathematics requires a refined ability to engage in critical thinking about complex systems. Because models are analogies for a real-world processes, structures, or events, they are an efficient […]
Statistics for Teaching Science: Part 3 Getting Comfortable with Variance, Standard Deviation, Standard Error of the Mean, and the 95% Confidence Interval
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 the mean. Anyone teaching AP, IB, Pre-AP, Pre-IB, or college-bound science students will likely want to know how to calculate these values, what they indicate, and how to contextualize […]
PLT: Fostering an Adventurous Exploration of Our World
Primary Team Goal: To build a strong repertoire of scientific experimentation and data analysis skills in students for mastery of performance-based assessments such as Internal Assessments (IAs) for IB, independent research, or Capstone Projects in AP and PBAT programs. Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) differ slightly from professional learning communities you may belong to in your school […]
PLT: What Will We Take Forward?
Primary Team Goal: To fearlessly redesign the broken aspects of traditional classroom education in response to a year filled with numerous faltering systems and the illumination of unbearable inequities. Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) differ slightly from professional learning communities you may belong to in your school setting in that PLT members come from all over the […]
Statistics for Teaching Science: Part 4 Expressing Error on a Graph
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 […]
NSTA Regional Conference in Portland, OR – Oct. 28-30, 2021
Swing by the booth to peruse printed binders of AP and general level Daily Lesson Plans curricula, Case Studies for Advanced Science, the Math and Statistics for AP/IB Science curriculum, or to check out the new STEM and NGSS skills curricula for grades K-8. Stay to join me for a hands-on workshop using student-centered instructional […]
PLT: Making a Successful Transition to Standards-based Learning
Primary Team Goal: To design original phenomenon-driven units that target performance expectations in math and science through the pursuit of curiosity and reflective critical thinking. Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) differ slightly from professional learning communities you may belong to in your school setting in that PLT members come from all over the world so there is […]
Making Thinking Visible
One of the gifts of teaching in the digital age is the ease of which a teacher can gather evidence of thinking and learning. Documentation can occur continuously allowing the assessment of student progress as well as the discovery of holes in their understanding. Each step of the thinking process can be recorded digitally using […]
Statistics for Teaching Advanced Science: Part 5 Hypothesis Testing Using a Chi-squared Analysis
Parts 5-8 continue the Statistics for Science series to include the skills required in high school Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) science courses. In these workshops, we will learn how and when to use each of the most common statistical tests that are used to test hypotheses. A hand-calculation will be done using […]
PLT: Fostering an Adventurous Exploration of Our World
Primary Team Goal: To build a strong repertoire of scientific experimentation and data analysis skills in students for mastery of performance-based assessments such as Internal Assessments (IAs) for IB, independent research, or Capstone Projects in AP and PBAT programs. Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) differ slightly from professional learning communities you may belong to in your school […]