Strings and Things: String Theory, Astronomy, and the History of Science in the Classroom

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Strings and ThingsString Theory, Astronomy, and
the History of Science in the Classroom

• Steve Case
• NSF North Mississippi GK-8 Fellow
• University of Mississippi
• NSGC Conference
• January 2007

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Outline of Talk

• Summary of GK8 Grant
• Challenges in science education
• Examples of GK8 science projects

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I. The GrantorWho Are We and What Do We Do?
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NSF North Mississippi GK8 Grant

• Funded by the National Science Foundation
• Science, technology, engineering and mathematics
  (STEM)
• Oxford and Lafayette county middle and elementary
  schools
• Develop projects for the two school districts

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Project Goals

• Integrate math and science in K-8 classrooms by
  implementing projects based on Mississippi
  Department of Education Frameworks and National
  Standards.
• Incorporate the Mississippi River and Mississippi
  River Basin in projects when appropriate.
• Include technology in the preparation and
  presentation of our projects.
• Develop cross-curricular projects that apply math
  and science in a variety of different disciplines.

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Project Goals (continued)

• Spark interest in Math, Science, Engineering, and
  Technology.
• Utilize thematic learning as a teaching tool.
• Enhance educational practices used by local
  teachers and graduate fellows creating better
  teachers locally and within graduate programs.
• Develop strong and lasting partnerships with
  fellows, students, schools, and the University.
• Providing a resource of tested projects available
  for teachers.

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Team Composition

• 12 Graduate Student Fellows
• 8 disciplines Mathematics, Biology, Geological
  Engineering, Chemistry, Physics,
  Mechanical/Chemical Engineering, Computer
  Science, and Economics
• Elementary Team (K - 4th Grades)
• Middle School Team (5th 8th Grades)

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Project Procedure

• Fellows assigned as project leaders
• Peer Review
• Liaison Review
• Project presented to students
• Teacher Review
• Improvement suggestions by teacher
• Project delivered and approved by project manager
• Project posted to our website http//smartweed.ol
  emiss.edu/nmgk8

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Outcomes

• Since June 2003, 314 project have been requested.
  
• 262 completed projects posted on the internet

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II. The ChallengesorWhere Have We Been, Where
Are We Going, and Why Should I Care?

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Challenges to Engaging Students

• Disassociation between science and everything
  else
• No perception of history and development of
  science as a dynamic narrative
• No perspective on the overall contemporary
  scientific landscape, opportunities, etc.

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Symptoms of a Lack of Engagement

• Lack of interest
• What does this have to do with me?
• When am I ever going to use this?
• Why should I care?
• Lack of appreciation
• Whats the big deal?
• Why is it important?
• Lack of curiosity

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How can GK8 Projects Help?

• Science and math presented thematically and in
  framework of application
• Focus on concepts and critical thinking leading
  to the equations and principles
• Present story of the science people, events,
  development of ideas behind principles
• Surveys of current opportunities and research
  areas in active fields

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III. The ProjectsorLight Years, The Great
Debate, and Jump Rope Particles
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Light Years and the Great Debate

• Eight grade science teacher wanted something
  about light years and galaxies
• Historical perspective, cross-disciplinary,
  illustration of narrative of science
• Frameworks covered
• Math 2e Multiply and divide numbers written in
  scientific notation.
• Math 5a Convert, perform basic operations, and
  solve word problems using standard measurements.
• Science 7a Explain the relationship between
  distance and light-travel time (light year).
• Science 7c Identify and describe the Milky Way
  as the galaxy to which we belong.
• Science 7e Identify and describe spiral nebulae
  as distant galaxies.

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Light Years A Sense of Scope

• Speed of light
• Measurement brainstorming
• Distance to nearest star
• 25,300,000,000,000 miles
• 4.2 light years
• 1 LY 6 trillion miles 9.5 trillion kilometers
• Looking backward in time

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The Great Debate Our Place in Space

• Held in Natural History Museum, Washington D.C.
• April 26,1920
• Between astronomers Harlow Shapley H. D. Curtis

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Its a String Thing

• Request from a seventh grade teacher to create
  lesson around PBS miniseries The Elegant
  Universe
• Theoretical physics, general survey of advanced
  topics, presentation of contemporary issues in
  science
• Frameworks covered
• Math Framework 1a Add, subtract, multiply, and
  divide decimals in real-life situations with and
  without calculators.
• Math Standard 3c Use standard units of
  measurement to solve application problems.
• Science Framework 10c Research one or more of
  the sources of energy (nuclear, solar, wind,
  geothermal, hydro).

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Survey of Contemporary Physics
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Particle Jump-ropes
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Summary

• We have hundreds of projects available on the NSF
  NMGK-8 website.
• We recognize the challenges to engaging students
  with science activities.
• We think our projects can help.

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The University of Mississippi
NSF NMGK-8 North Mississippi Grades K-8
http//smartweed.olemiss.edu/nmgk8