KLEIN's
GUIDE TO
SCIENCE EDUCATION
PHOTO CREDIT: Nadene Klein at Tuolumne Meadows Yosemite National Park
Did you know that a toy car can go down a ramp at a speed of 136 cm/s?
Here's how I know... Though more of a basic skill in physical science, my physics students are filling in gaps in their education including how to calculate speed. It is a very simple formula: S = D/T. It gets a little trickier when you have to use the metric system in our science class. I could check for understanding with a worksheet or quiz with various story problems requiring speed calculations...or...I could engage students in a performance assessment. Students worked in partners to set up a ramp. They measured its length in cm. Then they timed a toy car going down the ramp in seconds. Lastly, they used these metric measurements to calculate the speed. I was able to observe students making tangible, hands-on connections as they conceptualizing speeds in metric measurements. As students used their calculators to divide, we discussed significant figures and how to round to the nearest 100th. I also discovered that two of my students were unsure of how to use the meter stick to measure length. This is something I wouldn't have know to address if they just completed a worksheet. By the way, racing toy cars is so much more fun than doing word problems, even for teenagers. This formative assessment not only showed me how well students can calculate speed, but also informed me of other skills that will be necessary during our first full experiment (to be done next week). Students learn by doing so we need to let them demonstrate their understanding by doing. In a science class, performance assessments are the best way that I know of to accomplish this. Bonus: not one kid had test anxiety!!!
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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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