|
2016 Conference
Motivate Kids with Science: How Rio School District's Science Camp Does Just That!
|
|
|
Science Camp focuses on things kids want to learn rather than have to learn. The program is aimed at students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and uses everyday items found at Wal-Mart rather than expensive science toys, so anyone can do them on a budget. |
|
The objectives of Science Camp are:
We want teachers to be like students – inquisitive and curious. We described a typical day in the three-week program, and described some of the activities in chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, engineering, and math.
The camp's STEM focus effectively integrates NGSS standards with common core math and language arts. Students keep a journal to record observations, hypothesis, data and conclusions. Kids draw, paint and construct artwork for their projects. Kids use math for data analysis, graphing, statistics, and geometry. Groups present their work to their peers.
We measure success mostly by attendance and attitude. With 97% attendance in a voluntary summer program, students are showing their interest and finding value in the experience. The enthusiasm is sky-high when we gather at 9 AM to view photos of the previous day’s activities and still at 3 PM when they run with excitement for the busses. On the final days of the program, kids beg us to continue and say they will be back next year. Over half the kids from the first year have returned for two more years.
The greatest strength of the program may be its professional development potential, giving teachers the opportunity to practice hands-on, inquiry-based learning with 15-18 students and adequate supplies. There is no syllabus. We provide guidelines that help teachers plan their daily activities, which you will receive at the workshop. We will help teachers become comfortable with risk and failure – and with admitting they don’t know, but are willing to find out. We must model the behaviors we want to see in our students!
- Improve self-esteem and self-confidence
- Engage curiosity
- Allow students to try something new and become comfortable with risk
- Improve observation and analysis skills
- Learn to communicate clearly in writing and speaking
We want teachers to be like students – inquisitive and curious. We described a typical day in the three-week program, and described some of the activities in chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, engineering, and math.
The camp's STEM focus effectively integrates NGSS standards with common core math and language arts. Students keep a journal to record observations, hypothesis, data and conclusions. Kids draw, paint and construct artwork for their projects. Kids use math for data analysis, graphing, statistics, and geometry. Groups present their work to their peers.
We measure success mostly by attendance and attitude. With 97% attendance in a voluntary summer program, students are showing their interest and finding value in the experience. The enthusiasm is sky-high when we gather at 9 AM to view photos of the previous day’s activities and still at 3 PM when they run with excitement for the busses. On the final days of the program, kids beg us to continue and say they will be back next year. Over half the kids from the first year have returned for two more years.
The greatest strength of the program may be its professional development potential, giving teachers the opportunity to practice hands-on, inquiry-based learning with 15-18 students and adequate supplies. There is no syllabus. We provide guidelines that help teachers plan their daily activities, which you will receive at the workshop. We will help teachers become comfortable with risk and failure – and with admitting they don’t know, but are willing to find out. We must model the behaviors we want to see in our students!
About Dr. Clifford
Jerry Clifford has spent over thirty years as a research scientist and educator after receiving a Ph.D. in nuclear physics at Iowa State University. As an Air Force officer, he taught physics at the Air Force Academy, worked on nuclear weapons programs, studied particle beams for Reagan's Star Wars program, and worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Before anti-terrorism was in vogue, Jerry worked on new technologies to detect explosives in luggage for airport security. Jerry has been teaching physics and astronomy at California State University Channel Islands since 2004.
Jerry Clifford has spent over thirty years as a research scientist and educator after receiving a Ph.D. in nuclear physics at Iowa State University. As an Air Force officer, he taught physics at the Air Force Academy, worked on nuclear weapons programs, studied particle beams for Reagan's Star Wars program, and worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Before anti-terrorism was in vogue, Jerry worked on new technologies to detect explosives in luggage for airport security. Jerry has been teaching physics and astronomy at California State University Channel Islands since 2004.
About Dr. Puglisi
It is my pleasure to serve as the Superintendent of the Rio School District. In the last two-plus years the District has made great strides towards becoming a world class learning organization that achieves world class student achievement results. Each of our eight schools are working together to help students improve their literacy skills while developing their 21st century learning practices; communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and caring. It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Clifford to bring a STEM summer program to our district, inspiring kids to become our next generation of scientists and engineers.
It is my pleasure to serve as the Superintendent of the Rio School District. In the last two-plus years the District has made great strides towards becoming a world class learning organization that achieves world class student achievement results. Each of our eight schools are working together to help students improve their literacy skills while developing their 21st century learning practices; communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and caring. It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Clifford to bring a STEM summer program to our district, inspiring kids to become our next generation of scientists and engineers.
