1. Life Science For Middle School Educators Pick a number from the “hat” Grab a syllabus We will begin at 12:15 (to give people time to find the room)

2. Assessment So I know how much depth to present in lectures on the basic concepts in biology This is NOT graded This is for me to design this class specifically to your needs In other words, do not fret about this, just do your best

3. I Expect You to: Attend every class Arrive on time Turn off cell phones Read the assigned text Read the assigned papers or websites Read the lab ahead of class If you have to miss – talk to me as soon as possible. I do understand that emergencies happen.

4. Class Participation I encourage discussion Engage fully in each laboratory exercise Lab report in on time Be prepared for your presentation Support your classmates presentations with positive comments and helpful suggestions

5. First Year Teaching Your first year of teaching is going to be very difficult This class is designed to provide the conceptual framework and tested labs that augment and support life science concepts and scientific inquiry! Wahoo! You, your first year teaching Edvard Munch The Scream http://www.cbc.ca/arts/features/artthefts/gfx/scream_cp_6251535.jpg

6. Grading Lab participation and lab report 27% Midterm15% Student Project33% Peer Evaluations10% Final (comprehensive)15% Graduate Credit: (Required) Presentation to class on current science education research

7. 27% Lab and Write-up Give it a Title Align to standards What are the student goals (what concepts are you addressing)? How much will it cost? How much for equipment and how much for consumables? How much time do you need initially? How much time will your students work on it, and how much time time do you need to clean up afterwards? How will you assess student learning?

8. Sample Lab Write-up

9. 15% Midterm Questions will be generated from reading and lecture Focus on what is science? Focus on fundamental concepts in biology Fous on how to translate those concepts into project-based, place-based inquiry science in the classroom

10. Benchmark Test Take it now You have 15 minutes If you need more time, you can complete it at home

11. Align Standards to Test You are not being graded for the test answers, but rather, go to http://www.ode.state.or.u s/teachlearn/subjects/scie nce/curriculum/sciencedr aft2.pdf, and align 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade standards to the test http://www.ode.state.or.u s/teachlearn/subjects/scie nce/curriculum/sciencedr aft2.pdf Due Tuesday, January 12

12. How to Align Standards 6.1.PS.1 means: 6=6 th grade 1=1 st goal – Structure and Function (2 is the 2 nd goal, Interaction and Change, 3 is Scientific Inquiry, and 4 is Engineering Design) PS=Physical Science (LS=Life Science and ES=Earth/Space Science) Final number identifies the specific standard Buoyancy: 6.1.PS.2, 6.1.PS.3 7.2.PS.2, 7.2.PS.3 8.2.PS.2 Please write the entire standard out for this exercise

13. Suggestion: Begin your Portfolio All of these materials will help you that first year. Begin a portfolio of lessons. I am old school and still print everything You may want to start a CD library of your lessons instead How will you organize them? http://pro.corbis.com/images/42-15181317.jpg?size=572&uid={BDC8D64A-04AC-4AEB-AED4-01B47E938D1B}

14. 33% Student Project You will each select one topic from the following list, your turn is the number you picked at the beginning of class Prepare a lesson and hands-on, inquiry- based lab to present to your classmates You will have 45 minutes to present your lesson

15. 10% Peer Evaluation Positive, supportive comments Helpful suggestions to improve lesson plan Share ideas You have to be in class to get credit

16. 15% Final Essay format General Biological concepts covered in class, text, or assigned websites Scientific Process General Educational concepts covered in class, text, or assigned websites

17. You will be just fine! Every non-science student I have taught panics about half-way through the term that they are failing, or doing poorly, or whatever. I base the final 100% on you. Highest grade in the class sets 100%. All other students receive their grade based on those points being 100% Everyone in the class can receive an “A” if you work hard!

18. Text Recommended: Biology: Science for Life 2nd edition ©2007 (if you haven’t had biology before) Colleen Belk and Virginia Borden Publisher: Prentice Hall Recommended: Science 101: Biology ©2007 George Ochoa and Publisher: Harper Collins Recommended: Science 101: Ecology ©2007 Jennifer Freeman Publisher: Harper Collins

19. My Goal? I love science – all science I want you to discover the wonders and marvels of science When you have a classroom, pass on this this wonder to your students!

20. Questions? http://www.pla.net.py/enlaces/cnelm/980617/armadi.jpg

21. What is Scientific Process? Science explains what is seen in nature with natural mechanisms Science predicts outcome with hypotheses Science is testable Science is replicable Different disciplines have different methods, but the above are common to all branches – whether chemistry, physics, life, earth, or space

22. What is pseudoscience? Pseudoscience is any body of alleged knowledge, methodology, belief, or practice that claims to be scientific but does not follow the scientific method http://www.alabe.com/cgi-bin/chart/astrobot.cgi?Y

23. Scientific Method Scientific researchers propose specific hypotheses as explanations of natural phenomena, and design experimental studies that test these predictions for accuracy. These steps are repeated in order to make increasingly dependable predictions of future results.

24. 10 Steps (more or less) 1. Observations 2. Questions 3. Read 4. Hypotheses 5. Design experiment 6. Collect data 7. Analyze data 8. Draw conclusions 9. Communicate results 10. Questions Hypothesis QUESTIONS Design Modified from: http://yangdanni.blogspot.com/2007/09/confusion-shmusion.html

25. Scientific Method Isn’t Linear http://undsci.berkeley.edu/flowchart_noninteractive.php

26. Scientific Law This is a statement of fact meant to explain, in concise terms, an action or set of actions It is generally accepted to be true and universal, and Can sometimes be expressed in terms of a single mathematical equation. Scientific laws are similar to mathematical postulates. They don’t really need any complex external proofs; they are accepted at face value based upon the fact that they have always been observed to be true. Definitions of law, hypothesis, theory: http://wilstar.com/theories.htm

27. Hypothesis This is an educated guess based upon observation It is a rational explanation of a single event or phenomenon based upon what is observed, but which has not been supported Testable hypotheses can be supported or refuted by experimentation or continued observation

28. Scientific Theory A theory is more like a scientific law than a hypothesis A theory is an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by detached groups of researchers One scientist cannot create a theory; he can only create a hypothesis.

29. Theory vs Law In general, both a scientific theory and a scientific law are accepted to be true by the scientific community as a whole. Both are used to make predictions of events. Both are used to advance technology. The biggest difference between a law and a theory is that a theory is much more complex and dynamic. A law governs a single action, whereas a theory explains a whole series of related phenomena.

30. Questions? http://www.msu.edu/~nixonjos/armadillo/pics/c_vellerosus-unger2.jpg