Creating collaborations with hands on, inquiry-based, energy science.

Dean Cristol, The Ohio State University, LimaBrittany Collier-Gibson, The Ohio State University, LimaLynn Sametz, University of North Carolina GreensboroChris Andersen, The Ohio State University

Funded by the National Science Foundation DRL-0833614

It's About Discovery (IAD) is a program funded by the National Science Foundation under Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers.

OSU-Lima and UNC-Greensboro are partners in this new inquiry based, hands-on high school science program that engages students and their teachers in critical thinking skills focusing on STEM content areas.

To develop, implement and evaluate strategies that encourage student to be intellectually prepared for STEM

careers

To develop and implement strategies that equip teachers with the

resources and knowledge to ensure that their students consider and are prepared for the STEM workforce

The Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS) new science curriculum is the foundation for the project.

FPAS WORKING TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY CURRICULUM

REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS

21ST CENTURY SKILLS

HANDS-ON PROJECT BASED INQUIRY

COMMUNITY BASED LEARNING EXPERIIENCES

TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

LOOKING AT THE CURRICULUM• FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY

• We All Run On Energy

• Energy from the Sun

• Nuclear Revolution

• Is Hydrogen a Solution

• Closing the Environmental Loop

• Energy for the Future

SAMPLE ACTIVITY: WE ALL RUN ON ENERGY

Activity 1 Facing the

Challenges of Energy

Look at global challenges to

energy uses and resources

Individual and class: View

energy images and respond with

thoughts

Group and Class: Interpret Oil

Reserve Charts group discussion

Lab on the power of fossil fuels,

intro to science notebook

Prepare survey for 5th grade

lesson on energy

Choose Activity to create for 5th grade lesson

AN ONLINE OPTION

Activity 1 online Facing the Challenges of

Energy

Students read introduction online.

Additional links provide further

reading for those who finish early

Students view images Wallwisher, post response on

wall. Still have group discussion

Group and Class Discussion on

interpreting oil charts

Lab on the power of fossil fuels. Create

online lab book complete with videos

Prepare 5th grade survey on energy, use class google.

doc

Small group work, decide on 5th grade

lesson

IMPACT ON TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

Some teachers report that the curriculum is “Just what they needed”– the right match between instruction, hands-on science and cooperative learning

The on-line professional development supports the teachers Teachers are thrilled with the collaborative learning that occurs

between schools Connections and experiences with business and industry

enhance and extend the classroom learning

What teachers are saying…

Science is now “more fun” than it was before Science is useful for everyday problem solving Some students are now thinking about STEM careers whereas

prior to participation they were not Many students report liking the hands-on science

What the students are saying…

REFLECTIONS AND CHALLENGES

Teachers meet on-line monthly to discuss the project, share ideas and express concerns. These meetings are building a community of learners which may become an essential component of the project.

Professional development is key to sustainability. Students are beginning to think about careers that were never

part of their “mind-set.” It’s About Discovery has successfully introduced students to thinking about different and STEM related careers