1. Embedding Student Research Science & Engineering Projects in the Science & Technology/Engineering Curriculum Presented by Bill Rigney Marlborough High School Marlborough, Massachusetts Intel ISEF Educator Academy Los Angeles, California May 11, 2011

2. Shop Talk Overview School District Information Science and Engineering Fair Participation at Marlborough Marlborough Way & Teacher Commitment Osmosis Lab - Typical Lab/Inquiry Activity Overview of 8 th Grade Packet Overview of 9 th - 12 th Grade Packet

3. Marlborough Public Schools Approximately 4,700 students in the district Pre-K program 3 Elementary Schools, Grades K-3 –2011-2012 configuration will be K-4 1 Grades 4-7 School –2011-2012 configuration will be 5-8 1 High School, Grades 8-12 –2011-2012 configuration will be 9-12

4. Science & Engineering Fair Participation Grades 10-12, (9-12 since 2009) No. of Projects And Students Year No Record 31 41 35 59 55 75 103 149 123 178 126 178 117 197 120 209 118 200 57 94 116 184 104 126 2000 115 146 111 143

5. 8 th & 9 th Grade Science Fair Participation, 8 th Grade only since 2010 No Record Year No. of Projects & Students 60 49 60 80 74 67 8689 96 121...97 No Fair 62 66 68

6. 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…

7. 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

8. 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

9. 21 st Century Skills Global Awareness Critical Thinking Collaboration Creativity Communication Flexibility Cross-Cultural Problem Solving Environmental Literacy Innovation Information Literacy Leadership

10. Teacher Commitment Hiring Teachers – Must be committed to project based work –Hiring recent college graduates are very knowledgeable about Science Standards Supporting the Teachers –Standard format on which to work –Professional Development –Spread out the Grading

11. 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

12. STEM Academy Marlborough Public Schools will begin to form a grades 6-12 STEM Academy for the 2011-2012 school year A solid 6-9 program that fosters inquiry and project and problem solving curricula with an integrated approach in engineering, science, math, English, and history The 10-12 program will feature a number of potential STEM pathways

13. Confucius ~451 BC I hear and I forget I see and I remember I do and I understand

14. 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)(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. The Inquiry Page Workshop on Feb 21, 2001.

15. http://inquiry.uiuc.edu/ Inquiry Model

16. Osmosis Activity Converting the “typical” textbook lab into an inquiry lab activity

17. Osmosis 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.

18. Conversion to Inquiry There is a need for prior information in order for students to determine how to proceed using the inquiry methodThere is a need for prior information in order for students to determine how to proceed using the inquiry method 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 or sketches for data Students draw their own conclusions Other ideas!

19.  Topic Selection  Problem Statement  Research Summary  Hypothesis  Experiment: Materials Procedure 8 th Grade Overview Students are given a 29 page packet explaining what needs to be done.

20. 8th Grade Overview  Record and Analyze Data: Data Table Graph  Conclusion  Creativity  Poster  Oral Presentation

21.  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 Grades 9-12 Overview

22. 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…

23. Success follows with persistence AND assistance!!

24. I would like to thank the talented & dedicated teachers of the Marlborough High School Science Department and Technology/Engineering Department… who actually do all this stuff! http://www.mps-edu.org/High Please visit our website My email: wrigney@mps-edu.org