Are You Dense
Presenters: Deborah McMurtrie, Gary J. Senn, Bridget Coleman
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2015, 10:15 am - 11:30 am
Room: D130
Control #: 19545
Program Book Number: 1149
CEU Code: GP-54
Goals:
The purpose of the session is to link earth and physical science content to mathematics standards. Participants will explore density using earth materials such as minerals, water, sand, and iron filings. They will take measurements, collect data, plot coordinates, and interpret graphs as they analyze the mathematical relationship between mass and volume.
Rationale:
This We Believe states that in developmentally responsive middle schools, the curriculum is designed to advance skills and knowledge and is clearly based on established standards. In addition, the curriculum must be challenging, exploratory, integrative, and relevant. This session aligns curriculum with science and mathematics standards, and it integrates two or more content areas.
Activities:
We will present a lesson that engages participants in collaborative problem solving activities including estimating, measuring, and ordering the masses of different mineral samples. Each group will then take four measurements of one substance and plot the data to construct a graph. Comparing the groups' graphs will demonstrate the mathematical relationships between volume and mass as we calculate the density of each substance.
Program Book Description:
This hands-on lesson explores density using earth materials. We will take measurements, plot data points, interpret graphs, and analyze the mathematical relationship between mass and volume.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken
Links:
- AMLE Density Presentation (.pptx = 2.1 MB)
- Density of 6 Substances (.docx = 95 KB)
- Are You Dense Mineral Activity (.doc = 29 KB)
- Center of Excellence in Middle-level, Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teaching (CE-MIST)
Geocaching as a hands-on, integrated activity
Presenters: Gary J. Senn, Bridget Coleman, Deborah McMurtrie
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2015, 9:45 am - 11:00 am
Room: E160
Control #: 19833
Program Book Number: 3232
CEU Code: ME-65
Goals:
The purpose of this session is to demonstrate how geocaching can be used as a tool to provide middle level students with hands-on activities that promote interdisciplinary learning. Students can be engaged in and out of the classroom. Parents can become involved in activities with their children.
Rationale:
The international phenomenon of the high-tech adventure of geocaching has gained much interest over the past few years. Many educators have enjoyed geocaching as a hobby and some of them have found creative ways to integrate this adventure into education. Geocaching is an activity that will excite middle level students and will provide opportunities for them to learn content.
Activities:
Participants will learn about geocaching and view examples of how geocaching has been used in education. A few unofficial geocaches will be placed outside of the building and participants will have the opportunity to seek these "geocaches" using smartphones and apps that can be downloaded at the time of the presentation.
Program Book Description:
Educators have integrated geocaching to excite middle level students and promote learning. Learn about educational geocaching and go on a short adventure.
Online Description:
The international phenomenon of geocaching has gained much interest. Many educators have enjoyed geocaching as a hobby and some have found creative ways to integrate this adventure into education. Geocaching is an activity that will excite middle level students and will provide opportunities for them to learn content. Participants in this session will learn about a number of educational uses of geocaching and will go on a short geocaching adventure on the grounds outside of the building.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken
Bridget K. Coleman, University of South Carolina Aiken
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken
Links:
- PowerPoint Presentation (.ppt = 1 MB) Intro
- Alice Christie article Using GPS and Geocaching Engages, Empowers, and Enlightens Middle School Teachers and Students
- Edcaching wiki http://edcaching.wikispaces.com/home
- Geocaching for Educators Ideas for incorporating geocaching
- Geocaching and Education http://www.geocaching.com/education/
- Geocaching http://www.geocaching.com/
- Earthcache guidelines http://earthcache.org/
- Findit! Free https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/findit!-free/id387307351?mt=8
- Find Latitude and Longitude http://www.findlatitudeandlongitude.com
- Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
- Center of Excellence in Middle-level, Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teaching (CE-MIST)
Best Practice and Research from the National Professors of Middle Level Education
Keeping Teachers in the Middle (and Highly Qualified)
Presenters: Bridget Coleman, Gary J. Senn, Deborah McMurtrie
Date: Friday, October 16, 2015, 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Room: C210-212
Control #: 20001
Program Book Number : 2337
CEU Code: WB-37
NaPOMLE Goals Addressed:
1. Communicate the needs of young adolescents to a broader audience, including community groups, professional groups and retirement associations.
2. Disseminate middle level education research and best practice in user friendly ways to a variety of groups including young adolescents, teachers, parents and community groups.
4. Disseminate the critical importance of having a teaching workforce that is committed to and specifically trained to teach the young adolescent to school districts, state departments of education, federal government organizations and boards of education.
Presentation abstract:
Teachers licensed in elementary or secondary education yet hired to teach in middle schools often want to continue teaching in the middle grades. In order to help teachers gain specific preparation in early adolescence and middle school philosophy, universities offer courses in a convenient, on-line format. Share ideas for meeting the increasing demand for effective, on-line middle level education courses.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University of South Carolina Aiken
Links:
- PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx = 350 K)
- Handout - Positive comments from Adolescent Growth & Development students
