TOPScience (TOPS) Teaching Opportunities for Partners in Science. Art Krakowsky. Presented to IEEE. October 2012

Transcription

1 Man is the best computer we can put aboard a spacecraft and the only one that can be mass produced with unskilled labor

2 TOPScience (TOPS) Teaching Opportunities for Partners in Science Presented to IEEE. October 2012 Art Krakowsky

3 TOPS was started in 1993 by: Judi Wilson Director of Science & Special Projects San Joaquin County Office of Education Hector Timourian LLNL Biomedical Scientist

4 What is TOPS? Program for K-8 science education Partners are retired scientists, engineers, teachers

5 Some Partners

6 Livermore Partners

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9 Why Partners? Partners concept is important Partner + Teacher = Team Together decide what is best

10 Working together

11 Why Partners? Partnership lasts at least one year Lesson relates to current curriculum Hands-on labs reinforce classroom study

12 Discovering density hands on

13 What can Partners do? Develop lesson plan (e.g., properties of magnets/electricity) Set up labs (students explore/discover properties) Conduct class or be a helper Use scientific language and methods Utilize experience and creativity

14 Making a motor in the 4 th grade

15 Parents get involved on Science Night

16 Unique students get encouragement I have two comments and a question (4 th grade)

17 Teacher Impact Strengthens knowledge Saves time Rewarding Builds enthusiasm Partner teaches students and teachers

18 Some Numbers (as of 2004) Successful operation since 1993 Operating in 5 counties 33 Partners in 32 elementary schools Approximately 62,000 hours of student/partner contact in 2003/4

19 Why is TOPS Successful? Teaching, not entertainment Depth---one year assignment Know the students Teach to students level Training provided for Partner and Teacher Tailored to school and Partner s needs Hands-on learning

20 Training

21 How can the results be measured? It is difficult to do scientific or longitudinal studies too many uncontrollable variables Teacher skills Principal skills Available equipment Classroom arrangement Neighborhood demographics School budget Class size Handicapped students

22 One measure might be enthusiasm

23 Partner enthusiasm

24 Teacher enthusiasm

25 Student enthusiasm

26 What are the Results? Partner enthusiasm Teacher enthusiasm Student enthusiasm Science becomes interesting and fun Students can imagine being scientists, engineers, etc.

27 Two Concerns Have Been Raised which Relate to Program Effectiveness 1) Does TOPS improve a teacher s ability to help students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to pass required assessments? 2) Do teachers want an experienced TOPS scientist/engineer coming into their classroom? We have had a professional survey the teachers.

28 Survey Results From 13 Lead Teachers Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree Beneficial for required assessments? 4.54 Want scientist/engineer in my classroom? 4.85

29 Survey Comments Sometimes science is a hook to get kids interested in school and lessons.she will be doing three hands on activities: making anemometers and barometers, a molecule model, and the human body. All directly tied to standards able to introduce students to areas of science and hands on lessons that a classroom teacher might not have access to

30 Here is a little more (unscientific) data: Some 2012 year-end thank you cards from 4 th and 5 th grade students.

31 Science rules I made one at home

32 You make work sound fun and exciting

33 I want to be a scientist when I grow up

34 I m going to become a scientist (maybe)

35 TOPScience has a website

36 How You Can Help Our Future Scientists and Engineers Volunteer or Get a friend to volunteer Contact: Art Krakowsky artkr@ieee4life.org

37 Catapault

38 Mendenhenge--analemma

39 Planetarium

40 Van de Graaff

41 Teachers too

42 Fascinated with density

43 Start Young

44 Chaldi Plate

45 Dancing Ooblek Electrolysis

46 Static

47 Reach

48 While learning about static electricity, electromagnets, etc. We re having A BALL!