Are you bringing authentic science experiences to your students? I’ve always been a big believer in doing authentic science with students. However, I’ve come to realize that students don’t just want to do “real” science. They also want to be part of something that matters and is important. Last year, my students helped to design… Continue reading Let’s do (real) science!
Category: Experiences
Thoughts about the focus on testing in education – after taking a test
I took a teacher certification exam Saturday. It’s the second time I’ve taken a certification exam to add a field to my certificate in the past seven months. The great thing about the test I took today was that it was on the computer, so I was able to receive an unofficial score as soon… Continue reading Thoughts about the focus on testing in education – after taking a test
Impact
As teachers, we often do not get a chance to see the impact we make in our students. Sometimes, though, we are lucky enough to get a small glimpse. Today we had Open House as we welcome students to the new year. We meet families, distribute schedules, and answer questions. It’s always one of my… Continue reading Impact
What do you value in your students?
Last week, I participated in staff development training for the upcoming year. This will be the second time that I help to design lessons and lead science staff development. As we were wrapping up, we were challenged to think of the year ahead. At the beginning of the year, we often focus on rules and… Continue reading What do you value in your students?
A chance to share my passion for science with a group of high schoolers
This week, I had an opportunity to share some words with students who had taken part in a NASA Science Writing Challenge with the UGA Griffin campus. The top three students were awarded a trip to advanced space academy. Here are the words I shared with them. ________________________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for inviting me to be… Continue reading A chance to share my passion for science with a group of high schoolers
Passion and inspiration
Everyday my goal is to inspire my students to find their passion. Now, of course, I really hope their passion will be science! This year, I have also been encouraging my students (and myself) to Dare Mighty Things. Sometimes, the mighty thing you dare may not seem that significant, but it can be a big… Continue reading Passion and inspiration
When discussions lead to an unexpected understanding
The other day, we were discussing the movement of the sun-Earth-moon system. As we were reviewing the ways the Earth and moon move as part of the system, I mentioned that the sun rotates. Evidently, this was a new concept for some of my students. From there, and I cannot even remember how, our discussion… Continue reading When discussions lead to an unexpected understanding