Blog Post 8, Activity 8

Activity 8:

 

1.       Work with any of the Chemistry Simulations (PhET) and/or develop a demonstration (do a web search, there are many demos out there) to create your own Teaching Ideas. The criteria for this is as follows:

a.       Must identify and meet three (3) next generation science education standards within the K--‐2 grade band.

ü2-PS1-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.

ü2-PS1-2. Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.

üK-2-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.

b.      Must be original work

c.       Must be scientifically accurate and appropriate for the directed grade level.

d.      Must have an accompanying worksheet with at least 7--‐10 questions related to each activity/simulation. Answering these questions should be related to meeting the science standards identified.

2.       How do you feel your understanding of science, and chemistry in particular, has changed due to your experiences in this class?

I think my understanding of science, especially chemistry, have changed a lot due to this class. I have realized that there is a lot more that fits into the category of science then I ever knew. I learned a lot about the importance of observing and evaluating things and grouping things into categories. This class showed me how important it is to use a step-by-step process and how efficient and helpful they are. I also realized that science is in everything we do. Every day we are encountering problems and situations where we have to work our way through it in a process, just as we do in science. I think I have gained a better appreciation of chemistry, and science in general because I have realized that we really do use it, in our everyday lives, a lot more than people think. 

 

3.       What was the most challenging concept covered and why?

I think the most challenging concept we covered in this class was gases. I think this was the most challenging to me because I have the least amount of background knowledge on it. I also found the blog post that went along with it to be difficult, and many of the questions were very confusing and difficult to work through and find answers to.

 

4.       How could you facilitate future learning to your students who might also find learning about science and chemistry challenging?

I would try to use as many hands-on activities in my classroom as possible. I think science is a very hands-on subject, and when students are actually able to work through experiments on their own, and see things first hand, they will be able to grasp the concept a lot easier. 

 

5.       As you think about your future in education, give three ways you think you’ll be able to implement the skills you’ve learned in this class (it doesn’t necessarily have to be chemistry content based).

a.       Realize the importance of observing things closely.

 

b.      Be more able to work through problems in a step-by-step matter.

 

c.       Have a greater ability to compare and contrast things to one another and to group things together.