My students are an amazing group of learners who love delving into science experiments and creating a scene from history! They are excited about learning and love to share their life experiences as well as what they learn through their independent reading.
These students are fourth graders in a low socioeconomic area of southeastern Ohio.
Our school is a K-6 building and is the largest elementary in our district. Some of our students have the ability to experience a variety of activities, while many others do not have the ability to take part in opportunities unless they are provided by the schools.
My Project
Our classroom makes use of science labs consistently throughout the school year. We are continually running into issues with our experiments when students have to work around the gaps between desks as well as those that are mismatched in height.
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Our students understand the finer points of precision needed during experiments and data collection. However, when issues arise due to the bumping of a desk or the area not being large enough to contain the movement of items during the experiment, or the height difference between desks is different between our student scientists, it becomes difficult to impress upon them the need for controlling variables. I continually have to make statements such as "scientists would control this better in the lab, but with what we have to work with, we will have to make due." Neil deGrasse Tyson is quoted as saying, "The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." I want my students to believe in it based on what we do in our experiments, not just take my word for it that something would have gone a certain way if some of our work area provided consistency.
I look to have tables that are large enough to deal with all the aspects of our various experiments throughout the year as well as having some flexible seating for those whom it would benefit. I currently have some regular stools and chairs, and am making some items myself that will give a second option; however, the stools here will give a third option to those who have the need for more movement throughout the day. Some prefer to stand, while others have a need to move, helping with focus throughout class. The stools in my project will help with this.
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