Last Week!

 

It's hard to say good-bye. May all your dreams come true...

Hi All,
I am truly looking forward to the roundtable this week and will miss this class and all of you very much. I wish you the best and keep in touch!
Take care,
Dr. E

Week 14

Hi All,
This week we will be talking about the text and revisiting our defnitions of science literacy. Be sure to upload your reflections to the dropbox for the readings and for the documentaries and catch up with the outreach reflection, if you have not done so, already (2 groups have not uploaded their lesson plans for the outreach, yet) . We will have a little time on Thursday to work on the Science Philosopher round table presentations for next week. Be sure to come to class and not let your group down. See below for round table format

How to Lead an Effective Roundtable Discussion

Description

Roundtable sessions are designed to allow extensive discussion and feedback for the presenter in a more informal context than panel presentations.

Roundtables are generally moderated and involve discussion among the presenters and participants around the topic of the roundtable.

Presenters are encouraged to bring handouts that highlight key points for discussion.

Roundtables at a Glance

Informal – discussion-like

Allows for equal participation by all

Outline prepared for participants

All are encouraged to play an active role

Effective (and not so effective) Roundtables

Qualities of effective roundtables:

Time managed carefully – plenty of time for discussion

Each speaker communicates clear message & solicits specific feedback

Moderator facilitates discussion that touches on all speakers’ work

Qualities of ineffective roundtables:

Not enough time for discussion

Speakers aren’t clear about what feedback they want from audience

Discussion focuses on 1 speaker, leaves others out

 

Group Preparation

Meet with fellow presenters in advance to discuss the common threads that run through each person’s perspective

Consult w/ fellow participants, about structure & flow of conversation

Think about how to arrange the room to support conversation

Provide facilitator (discussant) w/ all of your materials in advance

Preparing What to Say

Structure the talk around key points

Everyone in group should have a part

Emphasize what you found/key points

Develop a one-page handout

Involve audience

Suggested Sequence for Presentation

1. Introduction

2. Preview sentence (Tell them what you’re going to tell them)

3. Focus on main ideas and sub-ideas

4. Conclusion – pose questions, ask for specific feedback

Enjoy!

We are all interested in what you have to say…let us in on it and ask us questions!




Have a great week,
Dr. E

Week 13

IdeaFest Pictures

Hi All,
This week we will talk about our text and view a documentary. Don't forget to catch up with the outreach reflection due into D2L, if you haven't done it, already. Also, be sure you have posted your poster there, too. We will discuss the changes.
Have a great week.
Dr. E

Week 12 –Apr 6, 8
IdeaFest Presentations of Research Posters Apr 7, 8 Post to D2L
Assignment Read: Science Matters: Achieving Science Literacy (SMASL) Ch 9, 10 Write a reflection -- 2 paragraphs on the Blog about major concepts in these chapters.

Week 13 – Apr 13, 15 View Documentary and Write a Reflective Paper -- 2 pages and Work on Presentations of Science Philosophers to class on April 27
Assignment Read: Science Matters: Achieving Science Literacy (SMASL) Ch 11, 12 Write a reflection -- 2 paragraphs on the Blog about major concepts in these chapters.
Week 14 –Apr 20, 22
Demon-haunted World – Carl Sagan Write a reflective paper 1-2 pages
Lab Experiment and discussion of inquiry methods

Week 15 - Apr 27, 29
Presentations of Philosophers of Science Final Class Activities, and evaluations

Week 12

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. ~Author unknown, commonly misattributed to Charles Darwin


Week 15 - Apr 27, 29

Final Class presentations, and evaluations

Pictures from the Jolley Outreach Project

Pictures from the Jolley Outreach Project : Right click copy and paste into your ppt.
Dr. E

Week 11

Some Easter Science for you: 

 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE62T1LY20100330

Hi Everyone,

We had a great outreach day last Thursday at Jolley Elementary. Be sure to upload the ion about your experience in D2L.This week we will be working on our IdeaFest posters and the outlines and abstracts for our technical papers. We will work in class on these.

Have a great week and an enjoyable Easter Break.
Dr. E

Week 10

Hi All,

Welcome to a very busy week. I think that the debates are going well...please use the blog to reply to the positions taken on Genetic Engineering, Global Warming and Evolution, especially if your questions/comments were not addressed in class.

We will present our lessons to Jolley elementary students on Thursday. We will meet in the school office at 3:15. Jolley is on University Drive just one block south of Main Street . Be sure to submit your lesson plans to D2L. More to come next week as we prepare for IdeaFest and explore our topics in depth for the technical paper.

Have a great week!
Dr. E

Week 9

Hi All,
I hope you had a pleasant spring break. This week we will be presenting the first two debates on Tuesday, March 16th. Dr. Goodman will guest lecture on March 18th and next week on Tuesday, March 23rd, we will have our last debate and prep for the outreach on March 25th at Jolley. We will meet at Jolley on March 25th in the office. I need to see your completed lesson plans on March 23rd. the following week we will be preparing our posters for IdeaFest and talking about the final paper.
Have a good week.
Dr. E

Week 8

Patterns in Bonds

Hi All,
As your class decided: from now on you will be blogging about questions presented in the blog. All assignments will be listed both on the blog and in D2L, starting this week. We will continue discussions on Global Warming and  Diversity of Life. There is an updated Timeline for assignments linked to the main pageof D2L and below.

We will have a working class on Thursday for your debate preparations/IdeaFest presentation posters. There is a template for your posters. You do this in PPT We will discuss this in class

Assignment Read: Science Matters: Achieving Science Literacy (SMASL) Ch 5, 6

Blogging Discussion Question of the Week (Ch 6):   Why do scientists look for patterns in nature?

Due Dates  Debates* Research/IdeaFest Poster Presentation Outreach Presentation Critical Paper


Jan 21, Start of Project – Presentation by Lynn Riley and Bridget Jacobs

Jan 27 Selection of Topic Due
Feb 4 In-class Workday Selection of Debate Topic Rough Draft of Lesson Plan to be completed in class

Feb 16, 18 IdeaFest application deadline Feb 18 IdeaFest Abstract Due Feb 18th

Mar 16, 18 Midterm Debate Day 1 Mar 16

Mar 23, 25 Midterm Debate Day 2 Mar 23

Mar 25 Outreach Presentation to Schools March 25th

Mar 30, April 1 Outreach Reflection with Lesson Plan Due to Dropbox Mar 30 Workday April 1st Research paper Abstract and Outline Due April 1

April 7, 8 IdeaFest Poster Presentation Day 7 or 8

April 13, 15 1st Rough Draft of Paper due in Class April 15

April 20, 22 2nd Rough Draft of Paper due April 22

April 27, 29 Final Paper Due uploaded to D2L AND Turnitin.com

Have a great week!
Dr. E

Week 7

Click on the Pix above to enlarge.

Hi All,
Coming up on our halfway mark for the semester! This week we will be illustrating, experimenting and talking together about aspects of Global Warming. More lively discussions anticipated, too.
Have a great week!
Dr. E

Week 6

All you ever wanted to know about quantum mechanics in cartoon format http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4237751840526284618&q=quantum#

Hi All,
This week on Tuesday Dr. Goodman was guest speaker. Our IdeaFest final abstracts are due to the dropbox in D2L and must be uploaded Thursday. I need a hard copy from each of you. Assignment Read: Science Matters: Achieving Science Literacy (SMASL) Ch 5. Midterm Debate Groups/topics finalized this week.
Have a great week.
Dr. E

Week 5

The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. -- Eden Phillpotts

Hi Everyone,
This week we are exploring topics for your midterm debate, outreach project lesson plans and fleshing out our abstracts for IdeaFest which are due to the drop box Feb 18th. Thursday, we will also be discussing chapters in Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy. Be sure to follow the blog template when posting to the blog this week.

Have a great week.
Dr. E

Week 4

Hi Everyone,
This week, we will finalize your groups and work on the lesson plan, use a brainstorming technique to begin your presentation abstract and talk about your midterm debate, Reading about Using the EMIT Model for Debating Controversial Issues. Additionally, we will talk more about Diversity of Life and the deadlines for applying to present at IdEAFest. Be sure to read : Science Matters: Achieving Science Literacy (SMASL) Ch 1, 2. Blog about the class activities and your readings this week. ALL POSTS NOW DUE BY SUNDAY NIGHT.

Week 3

Hi All,
This week we will be discussing Origin of Species, Evolution and Natural Selection. We will view some of the video materials around this topic, have discussions and you will blog about it by Friday. Be sure to watch the Mating Game for fun here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/sex/mating/index.html

Post answers to in-class questions on the blog this week, also.

Our class will be held later on Thursday - 4:30-5:45 pm and a Pizza Party, too. Please come prepared to discuss your research topic. Ms. Riley and Jacobs will join us Thursday to kick off the action component and talk about IdeaFest, etc.

Be sure to order your book from one of these book sellers, or others asap.
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Science-Matters-Achieving-Scientific-Literacy/dp/0307454584/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263419240&sr=1-1
Barnes and Noble http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/ISBNInquiry.asp?r=1&IF=N&EAN=9780307454584&cm_mmc=Google%20Book%20Search-_-k118169-_-j14953980-_-Googe%20Book%20Search%20(non-B%26N%20Imprint)


Have a great week.
Dr. E

Week 2

Hello Everyone,
Welcome back to week 2. Be sure to order this book: Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy

And, be sure that you are doing the readings listed in the content area of D2L and on your syllabus. You should respond to the comments for the post each week with your full name, after following this blog.
I am repeating this link for this week since there were some link issues, last week. Uncommon Sense Ch1

Uncommon Sense -- Ch1 http://books.google.com/books?id=8cT2C87tb-sC&dq=uncommon+sense:+the+heretical+nature+of+science&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=e  

This week's additional readings to blog about are:
Actions for topic - How to Write on a Scientific Topic - http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/679/01/
Ethics in Scientific Research - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis.cfm

Please also blog about our discussions and activities each class in a separate blog. All posts are due by Friday at midnight, each week.
Take care,
Dr. E

Welcome to Science Matters: The Role of Scientific Literacy in American Society

Hi Everyone,
Welcome to your IdEA capstone course. This is the class blog where you will reflect on class activities, discussions, projects and papers. I look forward to meeting you, soon.
Dr. E

The links to Uncommon Sense have some technical problems. I am attempting to resolve this issue. I am extending the deadline on that reading until next week's blog. If you have already read and blogged about it, make sure you are also blogging about the Scientific Process, as well.
Dr. E