Science First! Adventures in an Elementary School Classroom

1. Science First! Adventures in an Elementary School Classroom Science First! A GK-12 project at East Tennessee State University in partnership with North Side Elementary School • Johnson City, TN PI: Gordon Anderson (andersgk@etsu.edu) • Co-PIs (ETSU): Anant Godbole, Aimee Govett• Co-PIs (NSE): Sharon Pickering, Valerie Orfield Results Dan Ressler (chemistry) plays a slide trombone during a lesson on brass instruments. • Consistent involvement has altered the students’ attitudes and perceptions, opening avenues of previously unforeseen possibilities regarding higher education and STEM areas. • The varied array of science and math oriented teaching experiences has dramatically improved the Fellows’ communication skills. • Teachers have gained a cache of STEM focused lessons, activities, and tools, as well as increased STEM knowledge from informal interaction with the Fellows. Elizabeth Harris (math) helps a 5th grade student find the surface area of a rectangular prism Eric Lynch (paleontology) works with 2nd graders to demonstrate the exponential growth of bacteria. Leigha King (paleontology) helps kindergarten students make their own planets. Meg Carr (biology) introduces her microbiology research to 4th grade. Cells are constructed from cookies and candy. Our Program Nathan Noll (geology) plays a shape game with first graders. Megan Pogemiller (biology) building an anemometer with 3rd grade students to investigate the use of weather tools. Fellows focus on a single grade level throughout the year, collaborating with Teachers on weekly lessons at North Side Elementary. Each classroom in the school benefits from their science and math expertise enhancing the curriculum through their development of creative experiments, games, and demonstrations. Additional lessons for special topic classes showcase STEM concepts in traditionally non-STEM areas such as reading/writing, guidance, music, and art. Likewise, the Fellows introduce STEM topics during events such as Star Night, science fair workshops, Math Night, and Science Day. Lacey Vinson (chemistry) shows a 2nd grade class the chemical reaction between dish soap and whole milk. Martha Liendo (math) oversees a 5th grade project on projectile motion. The students use angles to launch pumpkins. Chris Sterling (math) explains multiplication using sports analogy. The Fellows: Dan Ressler, Eric Lynch, Nathan Noll, Chris Sterling, Lacey Vinson, Megan Carr, Megan Pogemiller, Elizabeth Harris, Leigha King, and Martha Liendo. http://www.etsu.edu/cas/gk/ Acknowledgements: We are grateful to the National Science Foundation, Division of Graduate Education, Grant Number DGE-0742364 and to the Johnson City School Board and Administration for support of this program.