Modeling Method Lessons for Middle Level Earth Systems Science

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Modeling Method Lessons for Middle Level Earth
Systems Science

• Paul Adams-Fort Hays State University
• Malonne Davies-Emporia State University
• Matt Seimears Emporia State University
• Earl Legleiter-Science Consultant
• Partial support for this project provided by
  Teacher Quality Improvement Funds Administered by
  the Kansas Board of Regents
• Contact information padams_at_fhsu.edu

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Presentation Overview

• Introduction to Modeling instruction
• Structure of the workshops
• Earth systems and space science unit development
• Look at middle school earth systems/space science
  units

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Introduction to Modeling Instruction
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What is Modeling?

• Modeling is an instructional design program that
  creates a learner centered environment
• An Inquiry approach introduces concepts
• Students construct in-depth understanding of
  scientific models using deployment activities
• Research supports its effectiveness
• Only high school instructional program recognized
  as exemplary by US Department of Education

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Objectivesof Modeling Instruction

• Construct and use scientific models to describe,
  to explain, to predict and to control physical
  phenomena
• Model physical objects and processes using
  diagrammatic, graphical, and mathematical
  representations
• Small set of basic models as the content core of
  science
• Modeling as the procedural core of scientific
  knowledge

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Modeling Cycle

• Development begins with paradigm experiment
• Experiment itself is not remarkable
• Instructor sets the context
• Instructor guides students to
• identify system of interest and relevant
  variables
• discuss essential elements of experimental design

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I - Model Development

• Students in cooperative groups
• design and perform experiments
• use computers to collect and analyze data
• develop science concept understanding from
  inquiry

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I - Model Development

• Post-lab analysis
• whiteboard presentation of student findings
• multiple representations
• verbal
• diagrammatic
• graphical
• algebraic
• justification of conclusions

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II - Model Deployment

• In post-lab extension, the instructor
• brings closure to the experiment
• fleshes out details of the model, relating common
  features of various representations
• helps students to abstract the model from the
  context in which it was developed

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II - Model Deployment

• In deployment activities, students

• learn to apply model to variety of related
  situations

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Sense Making Opportunity

• Whiteboard discussions

MacIsaac, 2003
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Why Modeling?

• Objectives
• to improve the quality of scientific discourse
• move toward progressive deepening of student
  understanding of models and modeling with each
  pass through the modeling cycle
• get students to see models everywhere!

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Effectiveness of Modeling MethodFCI Scores
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Modeling Instruction Program
check out our home page http//modeling.asu.
edu/
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Structure of the Workshops
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Structure of the Workshop

• Funded by Improving Teacher Quality Partnership
  Grant administered by KBOR
• Three year project
• Two universities
• Fort Hays State University
• Emporia State University

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Project Personnel

• FHSU
• Paul Adams
• Zdeslav Hrepic
• Eddie Olmstead
• Beth Walizer
• Stella Ollarsaba
• Earl Legleiter

• ESU
• Malonne Davies
• Matt Seimears
• Douglas Rickard
• Brad Cline
• Suzi Shoemaker

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Structure of the Workshop

• Year one (July 05)
• Introduction to Modeling
• Three weeks
• Physical Science and Mathematical models
• Year two (July 06)
• Chemistry Modeling (1 week)
• Modeling unit development (2 weeks)
• Year three (July 07)
• Earth science Modeling (1week)
• Earth/space, environmental, and biological unit
  development (2 weeks)

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Use of Technology

• Vernier probeware
• Vernier graphical analysis
• Simcalc
• Marratech
• IPTV video-conferencing

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Follow-up Activities

• October Meeting
• Saturday return to university
• Assist with implementation
• Equipment pick-up
• April Meeting
• KATS Kamp
• Group sharing and presentations
• School Visitations
• Hosted by participating schools

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Participant support

• Stipends
• Tuition
• 500 technology for schools

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Earth Systems and Space Science Unit Development
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Earth System and Space Science Unit Development

• Understanding by Design guides unit development
• Developed laboratory and deployment activities
• Test with middle school students
• Presented units via IPTV conferencing
• http//www.fhsu.edu/zhrepic/Teaching/Workshops/Mo
  deling/Participant_Units/PD_Units_Index.htm

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Middle School Earth Systems/Space Science Units
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Middle School Earth Systems/Space Science Units

• All units available at
• http//www.fhsu.edu/zhrepic/Teaching/Workshops/Mo
  deling/Participant_Units/PD_Units_Index.htm
• See handout