KLEIN's
GUIDE TO
SCIENCE EDUCATION
PHOTO CREDIT: Nadene Klein at Tuolumne Meadows Yosemite National Park
Field trips bring students to the real world to make connections in their learning. Planning and executing a field trip can be taxiing on a teacher. The logistics and liability are immense. To me, it's worth it. Having an authentic learning experience where students see the knowledge and skill in practice is extremely valuable. I teach two different Earth and Environmental Science classes. They have each chosen different curriculum to explore. (Yes, that gives me an additional prep.) Coincidently it worked out that I could take each class on separate and totally different field trips this week. Better yet, they each were free (aside from transportation). The first class is studying weather and climate and the affects on the environment. We stayed in the town of Castle Rock to investigate Plum Creek. We headed out with our electronic sensors and probes to measure conditions at a northern part of the creek and repeated those measures in a more southern part of the creek. This field trip took only 2 hours measure pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, flow rate, water depth, and carbon dioxide levels. While we drove from one location to the other, I had students discuss their predictions of how the two locations will differ. The next day in class we aggregated our data, analyzed it, and came to some conclusions about the affects of weather and human interactions on the creek as it flows through our town. The second class has chosen to compete in the Lexus EcoChallenge. Their project focuses on promoting bioplastics as a way to reduce the amount of petroleum based plastics in our landfills. Bioplastics are made mostly from cellulose and biodegrade rather quickly. Their research for this project lead us to the dump. Waste Management offered us a free tour of the Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site. The tour was about an hour and the field trip was just over two hours including travel. In class on the day before the trip, students brainstormed the questions they needed answered from our tour guide (the operations manager). Post field trip includes incorporating the data learned into the report required by the contest. A bi-product of a field trip is that I learn too. Every experience and every expert who interacts with my students teaches me as well. I love being a life long learner. The last step of the field trip process for me is getting feedback from students about the experience. I take to heart what they found valuable and what they would change. That feedback goes into the planning of future field trips because I will always plan field trips for my students.
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This Perhaps as a science teacher this has happened to you...Students find an injured animal and bring it to. As the all knowing science teacher and perceived expert on everything, their eyes look to you to save the poor creature. Do you help? ABSOLUTELY and, you make a science lesson of it.
Two weeks ago a bunny that was approximately a month old (based on its level of development) was found caught in landscaping mesh near our school garden. Students first rushed my room during my plan time to borrow scissors and I didn't know why. Now I know they cut the mesh to be able to transport the bunny. When they brought her to me, she still had mesh looped around her arm several times and across her chest like a mini straight jacket. I dispatched students to get various supplies and Google relevant information. I held the bunny while a student carefully cut the mesh from her chest and then arm. Once she was completely free of the mesh, we could see a wound on her arm that was slightly bleeding. We treated the wound, got lettuce from our greenhouse, dechlorinated water for her, and assembled a makeshift habitat for her. One of these student rescuers breeds rabbits and lent her expertise to the mission. She and I traded off holding the bunny and both of us enjoyed some bunny kisses on our fingers. Within a couple of hours, the bunny was eating and drinking and seemed to be thriving. The next morning, she was barely breathing. She refused water and could barely lift her head. Before school even started, the rescue crew arrived to check on their new friend. They were devastated to see the bunny's condition. We quickly researched wildlife rescue services and found one within a half hour. Luckily my high school students can drive. They obtained permission from our principal for two of them to miss their first class to go to the rescue place. All of this translated into an impromptu biology lesson for the rescuing students. Further it became a more formal lesson for my Zoology class. We discussed each aspect of the situation. This included the humane treatment of animals, the reasons why this bunny could not become a class pet, and the protocol to assess the condition of a wounded animal and how to get it help. We are uncertain of the bunny's future, but at least we know we did all we could and that we did it correctly to save her life. This is an example of authentic learning and changing plans to take advantage of a teachable moment. Not a bad way to kick off a school year. |
AuthorNadene Klein, M.Ed. has been an educator for over 25 years. She brings a passion and love for science to the classroom and through this blog to you. Archives
March 2024
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