Abby Borth- Elementary Science Methods

 1. This week in lab, we focused on technology and evolution. We started by brainstorming the types of technologies that we prefer as students. My first thought on this was laptops and Google. I was able to learn about new technologies that can be used based on answers from peers. I also learned about the positives and negatives of simulations online. We talked about how simulations can be beneficial for students because it allows them to learn at a speed that works for them in a hands-on way. They are able to manipulate the simulation as they would like. A negative could be that it is not an accurate representation. After this, we looked at the NGSS and examined more Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Cross Cutting Concepts. Our activity today was creating our own short story based on evolution for third graders. We decided to make a story about the evolution of dogs and I was able to learn more about this along the way. I also learned what DALLE-2 is ...

  1. This week in lab, we started by reviewing the NGSS and the performance expectations, crosscutting concepts, science and engineering practices, and disciplinary core ideas. We specifically looked at these concepts for biological evolution. We then started talking about natural selection and I was able to review what this is. I learned that natural selection is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotypes. We were able to learn more about this through a natural selection bean lab. We did a simulation where different types of utensils represented predators and beans represented the prey. We developed two hypothesis with one being if you use a fork you will get the most beans and if you have a knife you will get the least beans. We also learned that there are predominant traits caused by natural selection.  4. I can use what I have learned in lab to my teaching in the future when teaching about natural selection. I would like to u...

  1. This week in lab, we first checked on our fast plants. They had reached the last stage in their life cycle. I was surprised to see some purple in the flower's color. After this, we reviewed our reading reflection from the previous week as well as what we did in lab. I further learned about the difference between phenotype and genotype and inherited versus acquired traits. Following this, we did two DNA mutation simulations individually. I was able to learn how mutations impact proteins. I learned that there are three types of mutations: point, insertion, and deletion. We continued to learn about mutations with a superhero activity. We were able to learn how mutations can be both positive, negative, and neutral.  4. I plan to apply what I have learned to my teaching in the future when teaching about DNA and DNA mutations. I would like to use the simulation activities that we did online with my students so that they are able to play with it on their own and learn in a hands...

1. This week in lab, we started by observing our fast plants. Our plant had grown a lot and now looks like it is starting to dry up without water. We then started looking at genetic materials. We talked about where DNA is stored as well as the DNA structure. I was able to refresh my memory on what the structure of DNA looks and relearn the three components of a nucleotide as well as what bases are paired with which. After this, we did an activity where we made our own DNA model made out of gumdrops and twizzlers. We then did a second activity where we made our baby face. I was able to learn how the genes of two parents affect what their offspring will look like based on dominant and recessive genes. I was able to learn what the difference between genotype and phenotype was.  4. I can apply what I have learned to my teaching in the future when teaching my own students about genetic materials. I thought each of our activities in lab were fun and engaging and I would like to use each ...

  1. In lab this week, we first observed our fast-growing plants. I was surprised to see how much they had grown from last week and excited to see that we now had flowers. After this we finished up our activity from last week where we were given an ecosystem to research. I learned what would happen to an ecosystem if danger presents itself. For the tundra, climate change caused the ecosystem to warm up too much for some plants to survive. This made some animals in the food chain migrate and the whole food chain to be disrupted. Following this activity, we learned a lot about turtles by reading a book and participating in the activity, "Turtle, Turtle Watch Out". I learned that turtles are independent as soon as they hatch and go into the sea but many do not survive because of natural causes as well as by humans. I learned that only one in 1000 turtles will survive!  4. I can apply what I have learned to my teaching in the future by using my own knowledge on turtles. I can edu...

  1. This week in lab, we started class by checking the status of our fast plants and butterflies. I was surprised to see how much are fast plant had grown since last week. We now have one butterfly as well. I was introduced to the topic of Ecology, I believe I have learned this before but it was a good refresher. I learned that Ecology is the study of the relationship between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. I was also able to learn what biomes, ecosystems, and habitats are and the difference among the three. I was also able to revisit the topic of food chains and webs and learn how these revolve around the flow of energy and matter.  4. I can apply what I have learned to my future teaching when teaching students about Ecology and food chains and webs. I would like to use our third activity in my future teaching. This is where we were assigned an ecosystem and had the task of creating a food chain for it with 8-10 relevant animals and plants...

  1. This week in lab, I learned about the 5E method to teaching science. I had not heard of this method beforehand. We had the opportunity to make a presentation with our group to share with the rest of the class on this method and the roles that students and teachers have. I learned that the 5E method consists of Explain, Explore, Engage, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Each of these steps with the definition is listed below. This is an effective method to capture students' interest in the topic being taught and building off their own understanding to then deepen this understanding and apply it.  Engage: Activities that capture the student's attention Explore: Helps students build off the prior knowledge they have Explain: Providing information about a concept being taught  Elaborate: Having students apply the knowledge that was learned Evaluate: Testing knowledge and abilities learned 4. I can apply what I have learned to my teaching in the future by using this method. I beli...