My students need Vernier lab equipment. Our goal is to provide students with state-of-the art STEM equipment to 360 students. Our project “Sensors for STEM” will bring state-of-the art STEM equipment to students of chemistry and physical science in grades 9-12. Sensors or “probeware” are data collection tools that engage students in learning and the application of STEM concepts because students are able to design meaningful experiments and collect and analyze real world data in real time. Our students will practice science using accurate, new technology that will prepare them for college and careers. Nearly 3/4 of our students are economically disadvantaged and have little support outside of school. When our students have the opportunity to use hands-on, modern, and real-world relevant equipment and supplies, they feel respected and valued. This equipment will therefore address both their cognitive and effective needs. The mission of our high school is to create a school culture wherein all students are committed to doing what it takes to graduate on time, to advance to the next level of their choice successfully where they will be productive, competitive, and lifelong learners.
My Project
Our project goal is to engage, motivate, and prepare our students for STEM-related careers. Such careers are attractive because they command significantly higher wages than non-STEM work and the hands-on nature of the work appeals to a broad range of students. The students will learn and practice STEM concepts in inquiry-based lessons and through activities based on real-world issues to increase their competitiveness for college and careers in STEM. They will develop core competencies using the vernier probe ware, for example, using Dissolved oxygen found water and soil sampling and testing. They will study elements, ions, and compounds using solubility and filtration, and DNA studies will expose them to biotechnology. In physical science, students will explore concepts in cause and effect, scale and quantity, energy and matter, and stability and change. In all cases, students will use the equipment to collect data and analyze, interpret, and present their findings. We expect a significant transfer of learning between the chemistry and physical science equipment and activities because the data collection equipment is similar so the learning curve will be short and time spent on concepts will be high. Outside speakers will show the students how their lab work is relevant to the real world.
First, the vernier probe ware activities that will experience in higher education and real-world laboratories.
Equally important, the equipment leads to problem-posing and problem solving as students develop an increased awareness of elements in their environment and why understanding those elements (e.g. Oxygen gas, temperature, Heart Rate) is important.
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