My students need science supplies, like 30 lenses, seeds and books, to complete a inquiry-based study of plant life cycles. We will use a digital camera and printer, with extra ink, to document our journey.
Albert Einstein once said, "If there is a better solution. . .find it." Teaching students to observe, interact, and wonder about the natural world will prepare them for a lifetime of learning. I want to combine scientific inquiry with digital resources to put my students on the path of discovery.
My students love to explore and discover.
They come from a variety of ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are a small school in rural Alaska where most students ride the bus to and from school. Because of our harsh winters, geographical location, and high poverty, student opportunities are limited. I want my young scientists to be able to explore their world.
My Project
Through a series of lessons and observations of the plant life cycle, students will gain an understanding of plants and their importance in our world. Using science notebooks, students will predict, observe, record, and draw conclusions about what they see and do. Additionally, the digital camera and printer allow us to make a final digital product of this year's learning.
In our pumpkin project, students will learn how to accurately estimate the circumference and diameter of round objects, using their heads, various balls and large pumpkins. Students will then measure the pumpkins to check for reliability of their original estimates. When we are finished, we will estimate how many seeds are inside, then cut them open and count the seeds. Finally, students will replant pumpkin seeds, and practice using fractions as we make pumpkin pie. Students will integrate reading, writing, math, science, and the art of storytelling to document the journey from seed to pumpkin pie.
Please help ensure more reading opportunities for my students by providing them with science materials at their reading level.
Your help in documenting their science discoveries both traditionally (as in a science notebook) and digitally, will ensure that students are prepared for both higher education and future employment. I want to engage my students to encourage them to be life-long learners!
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