Title: Innovative Science Exchange


Project Authors:

Mechelle Alexander, Lange MS, Dallas ISD, Dallas, Texas, mealexander@dallasisd.org


Geneva Browning, Youngblood Intermediate, Alief ISD, Houston, Texas, geneva.browning@aliefisd.net


Angelia Jones, Best Elementary, Alief ISD, Houston, Texas, angelia.jones@aliefisd.net


Deborah Mayville, Jerry Junkins ES, Dallas ISD, Dallas, Texas, dmayville@dallasisd.org 
Karen Pennywell, School, Katy ISD, Katy, Texas, karenpennywell@katyisd.org

Edwina Sims, C. F. Carr ES, Dallas ISD, Dallas, Texas, es3938@dallasisd.org

Gloria Voutos, Larry Smith ES, Dallas ISD, Dallas, Texas, gvoutos@dallasisd.org

Subject Area: Science, Language Arts, and History

Intended Grade Level: Grades 3-7

Description: In order to promote interest and student success in science, this project will focus on science inventions (teachers choose the field of study), inventors, world impact of their inventions (positive and negative effects), and how the invention be improved.
(Idea is a modified Mystery Quest Format)

Learner Outcomes:

Students will identify the inventor.

Students will describe how the invention impacted the world and daily life.

Students will express ideas on alternative ways to use these inventions in today’s world.

Students will analyze the inventions and discuss how they can be improved upon.
Students will analyze and explain how the invention works. What type of simple machines are involved?


TEKS:

{SCI.3.112.5.2.D} communicate valid conclusions 

{SCI.3.112.5.3.E} connect Grade 3 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists. 

{SCI.3.112.5.5.B} observe a simple system and describe the role of various parts such as a yo-yo and string. 

{SCI.4.112.6.2.D} communicate valid conclusions; 

{SCI.4.112.6.3.B} draw inferences based on information related to promotional materials for products and services 

{SCI.4.112.6.3.E} connect Grade 4 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists. 

 

 

SCI.5.112.7.2.C} analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from direct and indirect evidence; (TX TEKS )

 

{SCI.5.112.7.2.D} communicate valid conclusions; (TX TEKS )

 

{SCI.5.112.7.3.B} draw inferences based on information related to promotional materials for products and services; (TX TEKS )

 

{SCI.5.112.7.3.E} connect Grade 5 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists. (TX TEKS )

 

{SCI.6.112.22.2.A} plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment and technology; (TX TEKS )

 

{SCI.6.112.22.3.E} connect Grade 6 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists. (TX TEKS )

 

{SCI.6.112.22.9.B} compare methods used for transforming energy in devices such as water heaters, cooling systems, or hydroelectric and wind power plants; (TX TEKS ) 7.8 A  Illustrate examples of potential and kinetic energy in everyday life such  as objects at rest, movement of geologic faults, and falling water
7.6A Demonstrate basic  relationships between force and motion using simple machines including pulleys and levers



Time:  1 hour and 30 min (one Videoconference session) with an option to reconnect and share extension activities and reflections.
Preparation: 
Use the following websites as resources to find science inventors:

http://web.mit.edu/invent/i-archive.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/

 http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=114

 http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=357

www.nettrekker.com (need a subscription)

http://thinkfinity.org 

1. Partner teachers should communicate via email, Skype, or phone calls prior to connection to choose a field of science to explore, agree on a list of names, video conference agenda, test call date, and actual video conference date.

2. Teachers should have a list of inventors to choose from in order to prevent repeated names from occurring.

3. Students should work in groups of no more than 4 for this project. Each student should be assigned a role in the group (historian, scientist/inventor, recorder, presenter, etc) 

4. Using a variety of sources, students will research a science inventor and one of his/her inventions.

5. Students will make a model of the invention for the videoconference presentation.

5. Students will research and report on the following:

 

                             a. How the invention functions?  What is the "science" behind the invention?

                         b. How the invention impacted the world when it was invented?

                               c. Is the invention still used today?

                               d. If it is still used today, how has it changed from the original model and how does it impact today's world?

                               e. What did the inventor have to think about before inventing their product?

                               f. Did the invention influence life in a positive or negative manner? Explain

                               g. How can the invention be adapted or improved today?

                               h. Students will need to create clues that describe their inventor and invention for the VC session.

6. During the videoconference, students will take notes on the presentations. Students will use these clues during the research phase of the vc to identify the scientist and invention.

7. Students will ask a clarifying questions.

8. Students will have 10 minutes to continue research to fix incorrect guesses and write their guesses on posters, PowerPoint, paper, etc.

9. Students will reveal their guesses and then the answers will be given.

10. During the debrief section students can discuss alternative ways the inventions could be used and adapted in today's society.

 

Materials: 
 Posters, computers, encyclopedias (electronic versions or printed),
 books about science (biographies or trade books), markers, various materials to build inventions
 

Videoconference Agenda: 

School 1 Presents – 20 minutes
School 2 Presents – 20 minutes

Break for Research  - 30 minutes

Groups Reconvene for Clarifying Questions and research (10 minutes)

School 1 Presents – 10 minutes
School 2 Presents  - 10 minutes

Debrief – Q & A

Post Activities:  PowerPoint, desktop publishing (door hanger, book cover, book mark, newsletter, menu, etc), movie maker, word-processing document (poster, brochure, short-story, kidpix, kidspiration, image-blender, inspiration).
 Assessment and Evaluation: Rubric
http://www.rubistar4teachers.com/
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/assess.html
Implementation Plans:
Since this is a unit about biographies and science, there is not a specific time of during the year. It could be an ongoing project/collaboration
 
 
RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS:
rubistar.4teachers.org/