Discovery PASS:
Discovery Process and Applications for Science Students
Posted: 7 February 2019 Last Major Update: 17 February 2019
Overview
In its mission to challenge how the world views science, PIT partners with educators to improve science education both in Indiana and across the country. With feedback from current educators, PIT members share a student perspective on concepts in scientific discovery/applications that have shaped their place in science. Discovery PASS is a free and easily accessible resource that links these ideas to state standards in science education (modeled after the most recent Indiana science standards from 2016).
To return to our PIT homepage, click here.
What is most important to know about Discovery PASS resources?
Feasibility - We understand that even the most dedicated educators have little time to implement supplemental resources in their classes, so we make sure that Discovery PASS is easy to locate and relevant to what you already teach!
Flexibility - You know more than anyone else what is best for your classes! We design each Discovery PASS topic to be approachable from a variety of angles (e.g. simple talking points, small activities, full-scale labs). With this, you can tailor the content to how you think it would fit best.
Ready to check it out? Scroll through each PIT member’s section below to see what science topics and state standards we bring together with Discovery PASS.
“Creativity Counts” with Andrew Subject Focus: Physics, math, astronomy Themes: Models, experimental design, measurement and precision, data analysis Graduating Class: May 2020 Favorite Frog: Any frog. Or ten. |
My PASS: One of the most powerful tools in physics is creativity. Developing models is tough - so is designing an experiment. What makes everything easier and more enjoyable for me is coming in with an open mind. There are multiple ways to approach a question, and I want to share how to bring out the out-of-the-box, clever side of my favorite subjects. Fair warning: inevitable puns ahead.
Topic & Main Subject Area | Theme(s) | Standards | Resources |
Fluctuations in Radioactivity (Algebra II) | Comparing data to a model | Process: PS.4 (model with mathematics) Content: (exponential functions) AII.F.(2, 5-7) | PDF here (version 1). (Updated 16 February 2019). |
“Life’s Complicated” with Eryn Subject Focus: Biology Themes: Posing questions, data analysis, explaining phenomenon, biology applications, current research focuses Graduating Class: May 2020 Favorite Instrument: Tenor saxophone |
My PASS: Posing questions is an important part of biology research. It is often the most difficult part because it is the basis of a good, testable hypothesis. No matter how far we have come in biology research, there is still so much more to learn. I want to share with students that even some of the most basic concepts taught in an introductory biology class (e.g. photosynthesis) still leave a lot to be discovered.
Topic & Main Subject Area | Theme(s) | Standards | Resources |
Animal Behavior and Interactions (Introductory Biology) | Posing questions about evidence. | (coming soon) | (coming soon) (Updated 17 February 2019) |
Would you like to be involved in the Discovery PASS feedback process? Email us at pit.purdue@gmail.com!