How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum

Introducing today’s Presenters Serena McCalla Jericho High School Jericho, NY 2009 Grade Category Regional Winner 7 Honorable Mentions Brian Short National Science Teachers Association

Overview 1.Introducing the Competition What is ExploraVision? Why Should Students Participate? Prizes offered. 2.ExploraVision & NSES 3.How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum 4.Resources for Teachers and Students

Introducing the Competition How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum

1. Introducing the Competition What is ExploraVision? Competition for all students in grades K-12. FREE to enter! Designed for students of all interest, skill & ability levels Students work in teams of 2-4 to select a technology, research how it works and why it was invented, and then project how that technology may change in the future. Each team is guided or led by a teacher and optional mentor

Introducing the Competition Use your clipart to indicate elements eligible for the competition Grades K-12Public School Private Schools Parochial Schools Home- schooled U.S.CanadaTeams of 2-4 Students

1. Introducing the Competition Grades K-12 Public, Private, Parochial & Home-Schools in U.S. and Canada All ability and interest levels Teams of 2-4 students Team coach (teacher) Mentor (optional)

1. Introducing the Competition Entry Components Abstract Description –Present technology –History –Future technology – 20 years –Breakthroughs –Design Process –Consequences +/- Communication with web page designs Bibliography Web Page Graphics

1. Introducing the Competition Grades K-3 Grades 4-6 Grades 7-9 Grades Each entry category is judged separately

1. Introducing the Competition Description (75 Points) –Present Technology (10 Points) –History (10 Points) –Future Technology (20 Points) –Breakthroughs (15 Points) –Design Process (10 Points) –Consequences (10 Points) Bibliography (5 Points) 5 Web Page Graphics (20 Points)

1. Introducing the Competition 24 Regional Winners Toshiba products for all team members Toshiba laptop computer for teams’ schools School banner Local awards ceremony

1. Introducing the Competition Regional Winning Teams create a web site to convey their future technology vision

1. Introducing the Competition National Winners Eight teams Four first-place student team members each receive a $10,000 U.S. savings bond Four second-place student team members receive a $5,000 U.S. savings bond All team members attend gala awards weekend in Washington, D.C.

1. Introducing the Competition Washington, DC Awards Weekend Congressional Visits Science Showcase Press Interviews Gala Awards Banquet Dinner Awards

1. Introducing the Competition Everyone’s a Winner! Entry gifts and certificates for all students, teachers and mentors Honorable Mention Awards for 500 teams 24 Regional Winners 8 National Winners

1. Introducing the Competition Winning ideas have focused on things as simple as ballpoint pens and as complex as nanotechnology applications. All inventions and innovations result from creative thinking and problem solving. Keep in mind that ExploraVision can be much more than a contest; it can be a tool to ignite every student’s enthusiasm for science.

1. Introducing the Competition Why Should Students Participate? Motivates students to develop higher order thinking skills; to think about their role in the future; to use their imagination and creativity Provides an excellent way for students to learn how to work in cooperative learning groups It’s not only for high achievers It’s FUN & EDUCATIONAL! And everyone WINS something!!

1. Introducing the Competition How many web page graphics should a team include with their entry? A.2 B.3 C.4 D.5 E.Unlimited

1. Introducing the Competition Let’s Pause for Two Questions from the Audience

ExploraVision & NSES How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum

2. ExploraVision & NSES The Curriculum Is Already So Time Consuming... ExploraVision does require extra work for both teachers and students, but it is an excellent way to incorporate the National Science Education Standards into your class using existing framework, to motivate students, and to help them learn to organize and communicate what they learn.

2. ExploraVision & NSES Which standards do you believe closely align with ExploraVision? Performance-based assessments of science & problem-solving abilities Engaging students in problem-solving & critical thinking activities Teaching students responsibility for their own learning Building strong communication skills Working in cooperative learning groups Stressing science is for all students Encouraging interdisciplinary learning

2. ExploraVision & NSES Moving towards performance- based assessments of science and problem-solving abilities. Engaging students in problem- solving and critical thinking activities. Teaching students responsibility for their own learning.

2. ExploraVision & NSES Building strong communication skills. Working in cooperative learning groups. Stressing science is for all students. Encouraging interdisciplinary learning.

2. ExploraVision & NSES 1.The importance of invention in history 2.The scientific breakthroughs required to create an invention 3.The gradual “building block” nature of scientific progress 4.How science relies on constant improvement of technological tools in order to progress 5.That all new technologies have both positive and negative impacts on our lives The process of putting together an ExploraVision entry will help your students understand:

2. ExploraVision & NSES Let’s Pause for Two Questions from the Audience

How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum

3. How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum Benefits for the ExploraVision in your classroom Teachers use this program as a frame work to teach many science discipline from biology to nano-technology, etc. in their class. Use the ExploraVision program as a framework to teach science There will be incentives from NSTA & Toshiba provided when you enter.

3. How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum Teacher’s roles will vary somewhat according to the age level of the student teams. Sponsor your students Brainstorm Assign roles Facilitate Seek assistance Provide Encouragement Challenge your team Provide oversight

3. How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum Do: Help the team determine a schedule and timeline and monitor its progress Coach students on being a team Give students feedback, but allow them to work independently Make them famous Provide them a little freedom from other school and homework, if possible

3. How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum Do: Remind your team that every student will receive a gift/certificate Encourage, encourage, encourage! Don’t: Forget that ideas (and egos) are fragile Ignore the obvious

3. How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum What students & teachers say about the program: “One of the most important things I learned is that teamwork is awesome and that science can be fun.”– Students, Grades 7-9 “My interest level in the sciences has been growing steadily since becoming involved in ExploraVision and I have gained a lot of confidence in my capabilities, in large part as a result of this tremendous program.” – Student, Grade 8 “ExploraVision truly allows children to think and act like scientists.“ – Teacher, Grades K-3 “What a great idea to incorporate many learning styles to work together in cross-curricular research. I had groups of artists working with science buffs and language arts gurus.” – Teacher, Grades 4-6 “This project stimulates learning of a number of skills that students can use in experimental research, and it provides intrinsic motivation.” – Teacher; Grades 10 – 12

3. How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum Personal Experience

3. How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum Let’s Pause for Two Questions from the Audience

Resources for Teachers & Students How to Incorporate ExploraVision Into Your Curriculum

4. Resources for Teachers & Students Visit the ExploraVision web site: –How to obtain entry materials –The entry process –Online registration and submission –Web seminar archive –Prizes, Rules and FAQ’s –Past winners –Videos of interviews from teachers and students

ExploraVision’s Educational Value - Teacher Spotlight June 16, 2009 Getting Your Class Started in ExploraVision September 16, 2009 ExploraVision Online Resources October 13, 2009 How to Avoid Disqualification in ExploraVision January 12, 2010

Thank you! Other questions? Please or call

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National Science Teachers Association Dr. Francis Q. Eberle, Executive Director Zipporah Miller, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director e-Learning NSTA Web Seminars Paul Tingler, Director Jeff Layman, Technical Coordinator