Application of Content
Place Based Lesson Plan
This has been set up so you may read all of the materials associated with the lesson plan and then read the reflection.
The intent of this lesson plan was to teach an SOL topic in an engaging way by relating the topic to the location we it would be taught. This lesson relates climate to the organisms that live there. We followed this up with a lesson on land use and water quality, because given our proximity to the Chesapeake Bay it is a substantial topic and offers a strong jumping off point.
Land Use and Ecology Lesson Plan
The intent of this lesson plan was to teach an SOL topic while incorporating STEM themes into the lesson. I did this by having the students collect water quality data with probeware then graphing their results. This lesson follows up or is an alternative to the land use and water quality activity in the place-based lesson.
Engage video linked in the lesson plan.
Reflection on Evidence
I learned that it is incredibly difficult to engage students in a lesson that very directly connects to their lives and communities. They often times do not think it's very glamorous in the moment, but are pleased with the results. I had a student do a similar study to my STEM lesson plan on the Roanoke River for his science fair project. When I first suggested it, he looked skeptical. When he collected his data, he came into my classroom the next day and told me all about it. He was suddenly excited about non-point source pollution. The great part about these experiences is that they make the common occurences exciting because they can apply their knowledge to the situation.
The Handwashing Lab is a separate lesson, but it is engaging because everyone has been through cold and flu season and everyone greets people in some fashion. The results produce a realistically useful outcome for their everyday lives, so they can think about it everytime someone sneezes into the hands and starts touching stuff.
Authentic, relevant science labs help bolster internal motivation in students and are a necessary part of any curriculum.