Math-infused Science: Choosing the Most Appropriate Graph
(Tu June 9, 4-5:30 pm EDT) 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 tricky. In […]
Statistics for General Level Science: Part 1 Measuring and Reporting Uncertainty
(W June 10, 2-3:30 pm EDT) All measurements have 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 […]
Remote Teaching and Learning: Part 2 Holding Synchronous Video Classes
(W June 10, 4-5:30 pm EDT) 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 not […]
Online Teaching Techniques: Using Competitions in Online Classes
(M June 15, 2-3:30 pm EDT) 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 differentiate team […]
Remote Teaching and Learning: Part 3 Optimizing Critical Thinking in an Asynchronous Online Class
(M June 15, 4-5:30 pm EDT) 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 […]
Remote Teaching and Learning: Part 4 Optimizing Critical Thinking in a Synchronous Video Classroom
(Tu June 16, 12-1:30pm EDT) This 1.5-hour workshop will address teaching techniques that can be used while conducting a class via live video streaming where all students would meet at the same time (aka synchronous teaching) using a platform such as Google Meets, Zoom, Teams, etc. During this 1.5-hour workshop, you will take part in […]
Student-designed Experiments: Part 1 Developing Curiosity
(Tu June 16, 2-3:30pm EDT) 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 and making observations […]
Math-infused Science: Data-generating Activities for Science and Math
(Tu June 16, 4-5:30pm EDT) Even when learning online, students can be placed at the center of the learning experience to increase their level of engagement and self-reliance. In this workshop, teachers will learn how to use any materials at hand to generate data for mathematical analysis. I will help you develop techniques for seeing […]
Statistics for General Level Science: Part 2 When is the Mean a Poor Choice?
(W June 17, 2-3:30 pm EDT) Often by middle school and certainly by high school, students default to the mean as the best way to describe data. So, you might think, what’s the harm in that? Everyone knows what is meant by this descriptor, it is familiar and understandable, easy to calculate, and informative, right? […]
Student-designed Experiments: Part 2 Writing a Procedure
(W June 17, 6-7:30 pm EDT) In this workshop we will pick up where Part 1 of this series left off. We begin with a list of variables our students have identified as potentially impacting a particular phenomenon they have explored. Using a think-pair-share process, we will give students the structure needed to write steps […]