Thinking Like a Scientist
by Jennie Munson
I want to think like a scientist
Observing animals, earth, or sky.
I want to ask good questions
Wondering how, what, and why.
I want to make smart guesses
Hypothesizing what might happen and when.
I want to do cool experiments
Testing my thinking again and again.
I want to write up all my data,
Recording pictures, charts, or words.
I want to think through all I've done
Drawing conclusions about what I've learned.
Wondering, asking, testing, concluding.
This is what scientist do.
If you want to think like a scientist
Then you must do them too!
Now lets take a closer look at and see how Expanded learning Program Practitioners and their students in expanded learning program and have been engaged in STEM activities during the month of March.
Name of Expanded Learning Program Provider: Sacramento Chinese Community
Service Center
Name of District: Twin Rivers Unified School District
Name of School Site: Foothill Oaks Elementary
Grade Level of Activity: 5th Grade though 8th grade
Number of Students Who Took Part in The Activity: 20 students
Type of Activity: NBA Math Hoops
Learning Objectives of NBA Math Hoops:
NBA Math Hoops is a fast-paced basketball board game and mobile app that allows students to learn fundamental math skills through direct engagement with the real statistics of their favorite NBA and WNBA players. The NBA Math Hoops curriculum is tied to Common Core State Standards and 21st Century Learning Skills, and it has been shown to improve students’ basic math skills and understanding of statistics, in addition to their interpersonal skills, driving them to collaborate more effectively with their peers.
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| Foothill Oaks expanded learning program students compete in the first ever NBA Math Hoops Competition. For more information on this pilot of NBA Math Hoops please contact Site Coordinator Sarah Heidel at sarah@sccsc.org |
Name of Out-of-School-Time Provider: Target Excellence
Name of District: Elk Grove Unified
Name of School Site: Roy Herburger Elementary
Grade Level of Activity: 4th through 6th
Number of Students Who Took Part in The Activity: 20 students
Type of Activity: Sacramento Science Olympiad
Learning Objectives of Science Olympiad:
The STEM activities lend themselves to all STEM disciplines and expose
students to practicing scientists, career choices, and energizes classroom
teachers with dynamic content experience.
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| Roy Herburger Expanded Learning students competing in the Science Olympiad. |
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| Roy Herburger Expanded Learning students working on their tennis ball catapult. |
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| Roy Herburger Expanded Learning students receiving their 4th place medals for the Calculator and Don't Bug Me Contest. For more information on the Sacramento Science Olympiad please contact Site Coordinator Jenna Boydl at jenna.boyd@targetexcellence.org. |
Name of District: Sacramento City Unified School District
Name of School Site: Nicholas Elementary
Grade Level of Activity: 5th Grade though 6th grade
Number of Students Who Took Part in The Activity: 20 students
Type of Activity: Flight and Rocketry
Learning Objectives of Flight and Rocketry:
c) Explore and understand that skinny streamlined shapes can move
STEM / Expanded Learning Program and Other Pertinent Educational Articles:
1) After-school programs need funds to help students thrive: Guest Commentary
(Steve Zimmer and Eric Gurna, LA Dail News, March 11, 2016)
2) 8 Family Strategies to Boost Program Engagement
(Daniel W. Hatcher, BOOST Blog, March 17, 2016)
3) Book club helps immigrant mothers find joy in reading and support their kids'
education (Daniela Gerson, LA Times, March 5, 2016)
4) Shadow a student challenge helps administrators understand kids
(Theresa Harrington, EdSource, March 7, 2016)
5) A principal met a student she expelled, and it changed her approach to discipline
(Emma Brown, Washington Post, March 8, 2016)
6) 10 Motivators to Promote Playful Learning
(Laura Robb, Middleweb, March 6, 2016)
7) ESSA: A Q and A for the after school field
(Jillian Luchner, Afterschool Alliance, March 3, 2016)
8) Brains in Pain Cannot Learn! (Dr. Lori Desautels, Edutopia, January 7, 2016)
9) The Superior Social Skills of Bilinguals
(Katherine Kindler, New York Times, March 11, 2016)
10) Four Reasons to Start Class With a Poem Each Day
(Brett Vogelsinger, Edutopia, March 11, 2016)
11) Why Kids Need to Move, Touch, and Experience to Learn
(Katrina Schwartz, Mind/Shift, March 26, 2015)
12) What Kind of Group Work Encourages the Most Original Thinking?
Elissa Nadworny, Mind/Shift, March 14, 2016)
13) Equity is Fostered Through What We Teach and What We Don't
(Elena Aguilar, Edutopia, April 7, 2016)
14) Full STEM Ahead: At Franklin Institute, students learn science is a diverse field
(Kristin E. Holmes, April 5, 2016)
15) Why Do Some Poor Kids Thrive? (Alana Semuels, The Atlantic, April 6, 2016)
16) Looking for the Hidden Genius Within Disenfranchised Youth
(Mindshift, March 3, 2014)
17) How to get kids hooked on books? Use Poetry.
(NPR, April 3, 2016)
STEM (and other interdisciplinary core content) Activities / Videos / Websites:
1) The World of Expanded Learning Interview with Jeff Davis
(Executive Director of CAN) (Bruno Marchesi, VLOG, March 7, 2016)
2) The World of Expanded Learning Interview with Brigette Edwards
(Site Coordinator) (Bruno Marchesi, VLOG, March 2, 2016)
3) Ode to A Site Coordinator by Diego Aranciba
(Video, March 31, 2016)
4) The World of Expanded Learning: Resources that I wish that I had known about
(Bruno Marchesi, VLOG, February 19, 2016)
5) STEAM Lesson: Coloring Sound (Lesson for Grades 6-8)
6) New App helps undocumented immigrants find college scholarships
(App for high school students)
7) Meet the "Rocket Girls," the women who charted the course to space
(NPR, April 5, 2016, Podcast)
8) The Poetry of Sylvia Plath / Crash Course Literature #216
(PBS Learning Media, Media Resource for MS / HS students)
9) The Difference Between Empathy and Sympathy Explained Perfectly
With a Simple Animation (Vimeo, Video Resource)
10) Summer Opportunities Resources
(National Summer Learning Association, Resource Guides)
11) Discovering Poetry
(PBS Learning Media Document for Grades PreK to 4th)
12) 5 Fun and Easy Science Projects To Do At Home
(Exploratorium, Activities Grades 5-8)
13) Resources and Downloads to Support College Readiness
(Edutopia, Resources)
14) California After School Resource Center (Online STEM trainings)
15) Drew Dudley Leading With Lollipops (Leadership Tedx Talk, 2010)
16) The Future Project: NY High School Students Share Their View on School
(The Future Project Video)
17) Science Poems (Poems on Various Science Concepts)
STEM / Educational Grants:
1) National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM): Enhancing Student
Mathematics Learning Through the Use of Tools and Technology
($3,000 grants are available)
(Deadline: May 6, 2016)
2) Math Moves U: Math Hero Award (Math hero receives a $2,500 grant and school
receives a matching award) (Deadline: Applications open Spring of 2016)
3) Best Satellite Providers: Technology Grants for Educators
17 Resources for Future Proof Kids
STEM / Misc. Professional Development / Contest / Events:
4) Let's Put the A(rt) in STEM workshop at the Crocker Art Museum
(Cost: Free) (Date: June 9, 2016) (Registration Opening Soon)
Name of School Site: Nicholas Elementary
Grade Level of Activity: 5th Grade though 6th grade
Number of Students Who Took Part in The Activity: 20 students
Type of Activity: Flight and Rocketry
Learning Objectives of Flight and Rocketry:
a) Learn that scientist investigate by making observations and performing tests
b) Deepen their understanding of air resistance
c) Explore and understand that skinny streamlined shapes can move
faster because they have less air resistance
d) Understand that air resistance is an important factor in designing rockets
fast takeoffs and soft landings
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Nicholas Expanded Learning students testing out their ballon and straw rockets.
|
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| Nicholas Expanded Learning students planning the design of their paper rocket. |
 |
| Nicholas Expanded Learning students plan for creating their paper rocket. |
For any questions on this activity please contact Mark Drewes at mdrewes@scoe.net. This was an activity facilitated by CSUS School of Education students.
STEM / Expanded Learning Program and Other Pertinent Educational Articles:
1) After-school programs need funds to help students thrive: Guest Commentary
(Steve Zimmer and Eric Gurna, LA Dail News, March 11, 2016)
2) 8 Family Strategies to Boost Program Engagement
(Daniel W. Hatcher, BOOST Blog, March 17, 2016)
3) Book club helps immigrant mothers find joy in reading and support their kids'
education (Daniela Gerson, LA Times, March 5, 2016)
4) Shadow a student challenge helps administrators understand kids
(Theresa Harrington, EdSource, March 7, 2016)
5) A principal met a student she expelled, and it changed her approach to discipline
(Emma Brown, Washington Post, March 8, 2016)
6) 10 Motivators to Promote Playful Learning
(Laura Robb, Middleweb, March 6, 2016)
7) ESSA: A Q and A for the after school field
(Jillian Luchner, Afterschool Alliance, March 3, 2016)
8) Brains in Pain Cannot Learn! (Dr. Lori Desautels, Edutopia, January 7, 2016)
9) The Superior Social Skills of Bilinguals
(Katherine Kindler, New York Times, March 11, 2016)
10) Four Reasons to Start Class With a Poem Each Day
(Brett Vogelsinger, Edutopia, March 11, 2016)
11) Why Kids Need to Move, Touch, and Experience to Learn
(Katrina Schwartz, Mind/Shift, March 26, 2015)
12) What Kind of Group Work Encourages the Most Original Thinking?
Elissa Nadworny, Mind/Shift, March 14, 2016)
13) Equity is Fostered Through What We Teach and What We Don't
(Elena Aguilar, Edutopia, April 7, 2016)
14) Full STEM Ahead: At Franklin Institute, students learn science is a diverse field
(Kristin E. Holmes, April 5, 2016)
15) Why Do Some Poor Kids Thrive? (Alana Semuels, The Atlantic, April 6, 2016)
16) Looking for the Hidden Genius Within Disenfranchised Youth
(Mindshift, March 3, 2014)
17) How to get kids hooked on books? Use Poetry.
(NPR, April 3, 2016)
STEM (and other interdisciplinary core content) Activities / Videos / Websites:
1) The World of Expanded Learning Interview with Jeff Davis
(Executive Director of CAN) (Bruno Marchesi, VLOG, March 7, 2016)
2) The World of Expanded Learning Interview with Brigette Edwards
(Site Coordinator) (Bruno Marchesi, VLOG, March 2, 2016)
3) Ode to A Site Coordinator by Diego Aranciba
(Video, March 31, 2016)
4) The World of Expanded Learning: Resources that I wish that I had known about
(Bruno Marchesi, VLOG, February 19, 2016)
5) STEAM Lesson: Coloring Sound (Lesson for Grades 6-8)
6) New App helps undocumented immigrants find college scholarships
(App for high school students)
7) Meet the "Rocket Girls," the women who charted the course to space
(NPR, April 5, 2016, Podcast)
8) The Poetry of Sylvia Plath / Crash Course Literature #216
(PBS Learning Media, Media Resource for MS / HS students)
9) The Difference Between Empathy and Sympathy Explained Perfectly
With a Simple Animation (Vimeo, Video Resource)
10) Summer Opportunities Resources
(National Summer Learning Association, Resource Guides)
11) Discovering Poetry
(PBS Learning Media Document for Grades PreK to 4th)
12) 5 Fun and Easy Science Projects To Do At Home
(Exploratorium, Activities Grades 5-8)
13) Resources and Downloads to Support College Readiness
(Edutopia, Resources)
14) California After School Resource Center (Online STEM trainings)
15) Drew Dudley Leading With Lollipops (Leadership Tedx Talk, 2010)
16) The Future Project: NY High School Students Share Their View on School
(The Future Project Video)
17) Science Poems (Poems on Various Science Concepts)
STEM / Educational Grants:
1) National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM): Enhancing Student
Mathematics Learning Through the Use of Tools and Technology
($3,000 grants are available)
(Deadline: May 6, 2016)
2) Math Moves U: Math Hero Award (Math hero receives a $2,500 grant and school
receives a matching award) (Deadline: Applications open Spring of 2016)
3) Best Satellite Providers: Technology Grants for Educators
17 Resources for Future Proof Kids
(Deadline: Varies by Grant Opportunity)
4) California Regional Environmental Education Community (Grant Database)
5) The Big List of Educational Grants and Resources (Edutopia List of Grants)
(This webpage has been updated on April 3, 2016)
6) Target Field Trips Grant ($700) (August 1 through September 30, 2016)
(Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the
"Grants" link)
STEM / Misc. Professional Development / Contest / Events:
1) CA STEM Symposium 2016 (October 9-11, 2016: Fee: $285 per participant
3) SCOE STEM Module Training (Module TBD) (Cost: Free) (June 2, 2016)
More information coming in the next few weeks:
Click here to take part in the survey to help determine the STEM Module4) Let's Put the A(rt) in STEM workshop at the Crocker Art Museum
(Cost: Free) (Date: June 9, 2016) (Registration Opening Soon)
Thanks again for all that you do in the field. Please keep us posted about STEM events/activities in your area. Please feel free to contact us at any time.
Monica Gonzalez-Williams (SCOE: Region 3: After School Regional Lead):
mgonzalez@scoe.net
Phil Romig (SCOE: Science Curriculum Specialist): promig@scoe.net
Mark Drewes (SCOE: Project Specialist II: After School) mdrewes@scoe.net
Monica Gonzalez-Williams (SCOE: Region 3: After School Regional Lead):
mgonzalez@scoe.net
Phil Romig (SCOE: Science Curriculum Specialist): promig@scoe.net
Mark Drewes (SCOE: Project Specialist II: After School) mdrewes@scoe.net
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