Embedding Student Research Embedding Student Research Science & Engineering Science & Engineering

Projects in the Science & Projects in the Science & Technology/Engineering Technology/Engineering

CurriculumCurriculum

Presented by Bill RigneyPresented by Bill Rigney

Marlborough High SchoolMarlborough High SchoolMarlborough, MassachusettsMarlborough, Massachusetts

Intel ISEF Intel ISEF Educator Educator AcademyAcademy

Reno, Reno, Nevada Nevada

May 2009May 2009

Shop Talk Overview

• School District Information• Science and Engineering Fair

Participation at Marlborough• Marlborough Way & Teacher

Commitment• Mendelian Random Assortment

Typical Lab/Inquiry Activity• Overview of 8th & 9th Grade Packet• Overview of 10th - 12th Grade Packet

Marlborough Public Schools

• Approximately 4,500 students in the district

• Pre-K program• 3 Elementary Schools, Grades K-3• 1 Grades 4-7 School• 1 High School, Grades 8-12

Science & Engineering Fair Participation Grades 10-12

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

225

1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

# Projects

# Students

No. of

Projects

And

Students

Year

No Record

3141

3559

5575

103149

123178

126 178

117197

120209

118200

57 94

116184

1041262000

8th & 9th Grade Participation

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

# Projects

# Students

No

Record

Year

No. of

Projects

& Students 60

4960

807467

86 8996

121...97

No

Fair

The Marlborough Way• Nearly every student completes an

independent project every year they are enrolled in a science course (T/E future)

• Gaining the support of key stakeholders• Answers the question: What should students know and be able to do?• Proving the importance of project work by students

–Use the obvious…

Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering High

School Standards

• Earth and Space Science, Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics, Technology/Engineering– Content Standards– Scientific Inquiry Skills Standards– Steps of the Engineering Design

Process (T/E)

– Mathematical Skills

Scientific Inquiry Skills Standards

• Make observations, raise questions, and formulate hypotheses

• Design and conduct scientific investigations

• Analyze and interpret results of scientific investigations

• Communicate and apply the results of scientific investigations

• http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/scitech/0106standards.doc

Teacher Commitment• Hiring Teachers

– Must be committed to project based work

– College Graduates are very knowledgeable about Science Standards

• Supporting the Teachers– Standard format on which to work– Professional Development– Spread out the Grading

Teacher Commitment (continued)

• Supporting the Teachers (continued)

– Working Collegially– Sharing of Best Practices– Finding Mentors– Student Feedback

•Likes and dislikes•Time commitment•Access needed materials

– We are ALL in this together

Confucius ~451 BC

• I hear and I forget

• I see and I remember

• I do and I understand

What is Inquiry?• The student is the center of the

learning.• "Inquiry is an approach to learning that

involves a process of exploring the natural or material world, that leads to asking questions and making discoveries in the search for new understandings."

(http://www.exploratorium.edu/IFI/resources/inquirydesc.html)

• Inquiry education is where structure meets fluidity, where we can create opportunities for students to be engaged in active learning based on their own questions.The Inquiry Page Workshop on Feb 21, 2001.

http://inquiry.uiuc.edu/

Inquiry Model

MendelianRandom

Assortment Activity

Converting the “typical” textbook lab into an inquiry lab activity

Random Assortment Activity

• There is lab sheet located in your packet at the end of the PowerPoint slides.

• Please read through the lab and notice the exact directions given. I copied this directly from a biology lab manual.

• Write down two or three observations regarding this lab.

Conversion to Inquiry• There is a need for prior information There is a need for prior information

in order for students to determine in order for students to determine how to proceed using the inquiry how to proceed using the inquiry methodmethod

• Discuss at your table how this lab can become more inquiry based.

• What can be done?– Students develop their own procedure– Students create their own table for data– Students draw their own conclusions– Other ideas!

Topic SelectionProblem StatementResearch SummaryHypothesisExperiment:

MaterialsProcedure

8th and 9th Grade OverviewStudents are given a 29 page packet

explaining what needs to be done.

8th and 9th Grade Overview

Record and Analyze Data:Data TableGraph

ConclusionCreativityPosterOral Presentation

Grades 10-12 Overview

Guidelines for Final Report Notebook Topic Selection Help

Promoting Project Continuation Issues Related to Research

Proper Documentation Organizing and Planning Your Project Statistical Analysis Poster Design Grading and Due Dates

Science & T/E Project Mantra

Remember, this is a process that takes time to develop in a school or district. This is not a sprint! Quick is not always the best way to get things done

You may not get it right the first time, but…

Success follows with persistence AND

assistance!!

I would like to thank the members of the

Marlborough High School Science Department and T/E

Department…who actually do all this stuff !

http://www.mps-edu.org/High

Please visit our website

My email: wrigney@mps-edu.org