Science PD

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This year we are focusing on Science through out the curriculum for our school wide PD.
We will be having sessions with Susan Heeps. Our first session was an introduction to what we will obviously cover through the year and what STEM learning is.

STEM learning is Science, Technology, engineering and Maths.
Science consists of the natural and physical,
Technology will be the tools used to do the science
Engineering is all about the made world

Science is more a way of being than a field of study on it's own. It is to be self analytical and constantly aware of your own bias.
We use our 5 senses for science and we are observers. 

When doing any activity it is a good idea to ask ourselves: what do you notice?
SEE, HEAR, SMELL, TASTE??, FEEL

Finding vocab is useful and should be the focus of the exercise- not just for writing.  This is science vocab that can be recorded.


ACTIVITY 1: ICE ICE BABY

The Ice challenge was fun, and it generated lots of vocab because it was hands on, so we could recall lots of things we did with our senses.

The BIG IDEAS came from what we were doing and our observations.
In the end we had a EUREKA moment because we could think about the catalyst.

EXPLORING THE KNOWN
Building on prior knowledge should be done at the start of every thing. (I know this, but it's a good reminder!)  As the students to draw what they imagine and label. Scientists rely heavily on drawings and we should too, because we are scientists.

1: draw what you know
2: label what you think
3: think pair share
4: find may different examples and compare- add to yours.

use the model:
I THINK
I NOTICE
I WONDER

moves to
I PREDICT
I OBSERVE
I EXPLAIN

We watched a collection of Videos and Obsreved things. Not all things must be done, they can be observed. Many different examples help with transferring knowledge.

Scientific debate if formd from talking about what happened in the videos.
make it authentic and relevant to their world.

So what now?
I will begin with the Straw experience and it I will spend time talking, then doing, then talking.
Our vocab list is going to be a massive focus for science as well as writing. I need to start a science vocab section on the wall.
Experiences will begin more with Activating prior knowldge, to help the kids build on what they know.
Drawing is going to be a larger part of my curriculum to help show what we know.
I will be using more examples of things- across the curriculum. Including writing, reading, etc.


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