September 21, 2012
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
PLENARY SESSION
Reinventing Science Teaching: Using PBL and Case Studies in Middle through Grad School
Pat Marsteller, Director, Center for Science Education, and Professor of Practice, Department of Biology, Emory University
No one learns anything unless they are engaged. This presentation addresses the use of PBL and case studies to create a compelling “need to know” in students from middle school through graduate school. Since 2003, Emory’s Problems and Research to Integrate Science and Mathematics (PRISM) program has offered graduate and undergraduate students fellowship opportunities to partner with local teachers to engage middle and high school students in science and math through problem-based learning. The teams develop and implement engaging lessons that connect science disciplines and highlight science in the real world. The primary goal of PRISM is to transform K-16 science education by enhancing the teaching, communication, and research-dissemination skills of future faculty; building sustainable university-community partnerships in which Emory students can be engaged; enhancing teacher content knowledge and pedagogy skills; and providing teachers and graduate students with opportunities and skills to take leadership roles in producing knowledge about pedagogical practice so that they can act as change agents within the K-16 educational system. This plenary will highlight the joys, benefits, and challenges of reinventing science teaching.
10:30 AM – 12 PM
MORNING BREAK-OUT SESSION
Track B: Adopt and Adapt: Integrating Quantitative Skills into Cases
Pat Marsteller, Director, Center for Science Education, and Professor of Practice, Department of Biology, Emory University
In this workshop, participants will be introduced to principles of adapting cases to address quantitative skills development. Initially, we will work with examples of existing cases, adapting the learning outcomes to include analysis of datasets and other statistical and quantitative enhancements. We will employ tools such as Gapminder as well as simulations, games, and datasets. Each participant will bring or find a favorite case to work on. Sample cases will include biology, chemistry, physics, and anthropology topics from middle school to college levels.
Resources:
Note: We will be using our own group, Adopt and Adapt: Integrating Quantitative Skills into Cases to capture our workshop activities including questions, group work, etc.
Gapminder & PhET 101 – Handout