TL;DR: Graphic organizers can increase creativity and can serve as a mastery checkpoint. Graphic organizers can increase understanding of complicated concepts and are fun to make! I love using graphic organizers in my classroom. The structure and organization provided by a well-crafted graphic organizer can make complicated concepts appear simple. This is important when teaching about science topics that can seem … Read More
Above & Beyond | Episode 29 with Tim Stephenson
Meet Tim Stephenson—husband and father, high school teacher, author, blogger, podcaster and TEDx presenter, from Langley, British Columbia, Canada. Tim has made a career out of teaching science, notably through an Astronomy course that he created. He made a commitment early on to interact with his students and curriculum in uniquely connective ways, with a stance of curiosity, excitement, and … Read More
Can Learning Science Help Close Covid Learning Gaps?
TL;DR: Learning new skills or content is hard, and COVID has made it even harder. But learning science can help. When learning something new, information enters our working memory system, but often isn’t stored in long-term memory. Passive learning strategies (like re-rereading material) do not help us retain information, but retrieval practice does. Retrieval practice involves the recollection or resurfacing … Read More
Dare Mighty Things
TL;DR: Learning and growth happen when you get out of your comfort zone. Scientists and engineers have to accept the possibility of failure. Teachers and students should be encouraged to Dare Mighty Things. Do you Dare Mighty Things? Take a moment and reflect: Are you playing it safe, staying in your comfort zone, and surrounded by the familiar? Or are … Read More
Patterns
TL;DR: Pattern recognition is a skill that can lead to discovery. Patterns help students better understand the world around them. Patterns are interdisciplinary. In the world of science education, identifying patterns is an incredibly important skill that we teach our students. Pattern identification has led to discoveries in all scientific disciplines, but the patterns that are resonating with me right … Read More
