UT Marine Science GK12 Program: The Year in Review

1
UT Marine Science GK-12 Program The Year in
Review

• Kiersten Madden
• Megan Fencil
• Andy Evans
• Kimberly LeRoy

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Whos Involved?
The University of Texas
The National Science Foundation
Principal Investigator
School District
Graduate Fellows
K-12 Educators
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What are the objectives?

• To promote the academic and professional
  development of K-12 and University level
  participants by building long-term partnerships
  between K-12 school districts and University of
  Texas researchers in Sciences, Technology,
  Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).

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Goals for the Students

• Improve critical thinking skills
• Increase academic skills by working with graduate
  fellows
• Increase interest and appreciation of STEM
  disciplines

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Goals for Graduate Fellows

• Improve the Fellows communication skills
• Improve the Fellows teaching skills
• Strengthen the partnership between STEM
  researchers and K-12 educators
• Improve Fellows knowledge and understanding of
  STEM disciplines

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Goals for the University of Texas

• Strengthen the partnership between STEM
  researchers and K-12 educators
• Disseminate information about the effectiveness
  of the GK-12 program
• Sustain GK-12 activities as a permanent part of
  the University

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Goals for Teachers

• Expand understanding of STEM disciplines
• Improve instructors teaching skills
• Strengthen the partnership between K-12 education
  and STEM researchers

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Goals for the School District

• Strengthen the partnership between K-12 education
  and STEM researchers
• Sustain GK-12 activities in K-12 education

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How do we achieve these goals?

• Graduate fellows visit classrooms once or twice a
  week
• Conduct inquiry-based learning activities

18 Labs for Grades 9-12 18 Labs for Grades 6-8
9 Labs for Grades 6-12 13 Labs for Grade 4 23
Labs for Grade 5
Interdisciplinary Math Science Computer
Science Language Arts
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• Middle and High School Labs
• Making a Cloud Chamber
• Polymers
• How Many Calories in Cheetos?
• Coconuts as Ocean Drifters
• Antarctica vs. Port A Which is more humid?
• Alternative Energy Sources
• Measuring Mass, Volume, and Density
• Conduction and Convection
• Properties of Light
• Mitosis and Meiosis
• Photosynthesis
• Fruits, Flowers, and Seeds
• Exploring Our Solar System
• Desalinization
• Water Filtration
• Acids and Bases
• Air Pollution and Acid Rain

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• Sixth and Seventh Grade Labs
• Changes in Matter
• Classification and Identification
• Build a Space Station
• Oil Spill Clean-up
• Pressure and Gas
• What do Marine Scientists Do?
• How to Hide in the Ocean
• Endangered Turtles
• Ocean Explorers

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• Fourth Grade Labs
• Build an Electromagnet
• Static Electricity
• Electrical Safety
• Alternative Energy Sources
• Scavenger Hunt for Plant Adaptations
• Comparison of Dune and Marsh Plants
• Observation of a Live Fish
• Fish Feeding Models
• Shore Bird Survival Game
• Effects of Mining on Soil
• Reading Nutritional Labels
• Identifying Plant Parts
• Human Nervous System Models

13

• Fifth Grade Labs
• Exploring Algae
• DNA Extraction
• Erosion and Weathering
• Seed Dispersal
• Rock Cycle
• Antarctic Water Cycle
• Stingrays and Osmoregulation
• Exploring Owl Pellets
• Worms and Decomposition
• Energy Rollercoaster
• Pinhole Projectors
• Mass and Density
• Sound Vibrations
• Global Warming

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How do we achieve these goals?

• Workshops for teachers and fellows
• Community Activities (ex Science Night)
• UTMSI faculty/staff visit classrooms

15
GK-12 fellows assisted with Science Night