Summary and Review of Get'em Outside in Science and Children

In this article, Weise (2012) and her students take science outside of the classroom and work together to create and outdoor classroom where learning can be extended.  Weise explains her support of the movement away from testing, standards, and less recess and directs her energy towards place-based education, which can connect students to their local communities.  She uses a local wooded area as the means to create a place for learning outdoors.  Her plan was well thought out as she employed the assistance and support of parents, other teachers and the district science specialist.  Weise had three main objectives for the outdoor centre: provide an opportunity for students to engage in their natural surroundings with future thinking in mind, create and provide a usable resource for other teachers, and provide the community with a natural place for observing local ecology.  The outdoor centre provides opportunities for students to observe and discover plants, birds and insects with the help of tools and to record thoughts in personal nature journals.  The space is a useful resource across grade levels and curriculum and even is utilized by outside groups such as the local high school and scout groups.  Weise goes on to encourage other teachers and individuals to put effort towards transforming local abandoned lots into outdoor classrooms and to explore local opportunities to examine ecosystems within the school grounds. 

I feel that Weise has got a very valuable idea in engaging in science outside of the classroom.  The simple fact that she was able to work with her class to transform a forest and make it into a place that provided relevant connections to life sciences and recreational purpose is inspiring.  The initial project allows the students to take ownership of their local community and ecosystem and turn classroom concepts into practical applications.  Ultimately, this continuing project is a positive, engaging way for students to become connected with their local environment and to develop respect for the many organisms that inhabit the forest.

Weise, L. (2012).  Get'em Outside.  Science and Children.  March 2012.  Vol 49 (7), pgs, 36-40. 

Feedback for Educational Science Website

I think the organization and easy to follow tabs make it easy find information on Kirk's website.  The background is easy visually to see, and therefore makes the website visually appealing.  Kirk has some outstanding unit plans and lesson plans that are available for downloads.  Kirk could add a few more pictures to jazz up various pages.  I appreciated Kirk's STSE section, I felt it was relevant and interesting to read and covers a variety of concepts covered in class.

Summary and Review of Banishing Bradford Pears in Science and Children

In this article, Deaton and Cook (2012) venture into the world of role-play and how it can engage students in environmental science.  Fifth grade students were provided the opportunity to develop relevant connections between environmental science and their local community.  According to Deaton and Cook, role play activities provide the setting for students to step into the shoes of another person and voice opinions and thoughts of that character.  In this activity, the issue was surrounding activists discouraging the planting of non native plants (Bradford Pear Trees) and students took on various roles such as environmental activists, local farmers (who depend of the trees as resources), Nursery owner, landscape company, School administrator, and in role students.  Each stakeholder would be described prior to the role-play.  To prepare for the role-play students would conduct research regarding their specific role and then they would engage in stimulated discussion.  In the end, the goal would be for the class to arrive at a decision the planting of the trees.  Within this context, Deaton and Cook felt like their students developed a "deeper understanding of diversity and interrelationships among organisms than would have otherwise been possible".  Additionally, student practice effective means of communication. In my mind, role-play is a great means of connecting students to issues in science.  When you can provide you students with opportunities to put on their critical thinking hats and speak from differing perspectives and evaluate information, learning is maximized.  Plus it's fun taking on the role of another and ultimately engaging for the student.  Lastly, Deaton and Cook hit the nail on the head by keeping the issue relevant and local. It connects students to their community and is practice in exercising democratic citizenship and offers many cross-curricular applications.

Deaton, C., Cook, M.  (2012).  Banishing Bradford Pears: A creative role-play activity helps students examine all sides of an environmental issue.  Science and Children.  March 2012. Vol 49 (7), pgs: 26-30. 

 

Photo Journal Science Human Body Applications #3

In further exploring how the human body works, examining the five senses is very engaging. Testing our senses can uncover many skills we may not have known we possessed (keen sense of smell and relation to memory) and others that can trick us (sense of touch/feel can be tricked with multiple points of contact).  The applications are numerous and students can really develop an appreciation for their senses as they learn the processes.

Photo Journal Science Human Body Applications #2

Microscopes can provide the opportunity to gain a better understanding of life in its smallest form(s).  They act as a window that looks into a world that would otherwise only be imagined.  They offer unique opportunities for students to study their local environment up close (samples of bodies of water for instance) or delve into human biology to examine what we are composed of.

Photo Journal Science Human Body Applications #1

In examining the human body, we can explore many different components and processes to develop a better understanding of our day to day functions and how they effect our lives.  We could examine diet for instance (keeping a journal of intake) and relate it to our energy levels and mood over the course of a week (or other period of time).

Photo Journal Science Ecology Applications #3

Physical processes, local ecology, interaction between fresh water and the ocean, and adventures through the lush forest are just some of the possibilities to explore with middle schoolers at Sombrio beach along the Juan de Fuca trail.