Greetings Fellow Science Educators!
As I traveled to Tahlequah last Monday for a regional meeting, I couldn’t help but notice nature’s beautiful foliage. The trees were a myriad of bright fall colors, which reminded me of a question my students used to ask, “Why do leaves change color in the fall?”
This question exemplifies the scientific practice of Asking Questions, introduced by the National Research Council (NRC) in A Framework for K-12 Science Education. According to the NRC, science begins with a question about a phenomenon such as, “Why do leaves change color in the fall?
A basic practice of the scientist is to make observations about a phenomenon, ask questions about it, determine what is already known about the phenomenon and determine what questions have to yet to be satisfactorily answered.
With this in mind, I’ve provided a couple of options for your own “Changing Leaves” investigations. The key to both activities is giving students an opportunity to ask the question, “Why do leaves change colors in the fall?” Once they have asked the question, then they can begin to explore what is already known about the phenomenon and they might even end up with questions that are yet unanswered.
Elementary:
- Have students collect leaves and bring them into the classroom
- Ask students (3-4 students in a group) to group leaves based on similarities and differences.
- Ask student groups to share the ways in which they choose to group their leaves.
- Explore the concept that objects have properties that can be observed described and measured.
Leaves (shape, size, texture, color)
- One group will probably group the leaves based on color.
- Then ask all students, “Why do you think leaves change color in the fall?”
- Explain with a Book: Why Do Leaves Change Color? http://bit.ly/WhyDoLeavesChangeColor (This can be purchased via Google books and displayed on a SmartBoard)
- Check out a non-fiction book from the school or local library to explain the concept of leaves changing color.
- Explain with a Video found on the Internet
Secondary:
- Conduct the “Chemistry of Changing Leaves” Lesson Plan from NBC
See attached document
- Once students have completed the chromatography activity, provide them with non-fiction text that will explain the phenomenon of leaves changing color.
A few links to non-fiction text website about the topic are provided in the lesson.
Good luck with the practice of asking questions and please feel free to send me pictures and comments about the investigations you conduct!
A New Way to Share Resources:
Scoop It: OKSci Classroom Strategies
http://www.scoop.it/t/oksci-classroom-strategies
- In an effort to share classroom strategies, I’ve developed a “Scoop It” page where I will add videos, articles, and much more as I run across them.
- I would be happy to add any resources you find as well.
Feel free to e-mail me links as you find them.
Upcoming Events:
Oklahoma State Department of Education Regional Meetings
· Ardmore for Elementary (K-5) Teachers (Dec 6) – http://ardmore-elementary2012.eventbrite.com
· Ardmore for Secondary (6-12) Teachers (Dec 6)– http://ardmore-secondary2012.eventbrite.com
· Stillwater for Elementary (K-5) Teachers (Dec 10) – http://stillwaterk5-2012.eventbrite.com
· Stillwater for Secondary (6-12) Teachers (Dec 10) – http://stillwater612-2012.eventbrite.com
– Follow our discussions on Twitter by searching #KnowC3
Register for ScienceFest:
Registration for ScienceFest Oklahoma, Oklahoma’s one-of-a-kind science education event http://www.sciencefestok.com/ .
ScienceFest is a free event for Oklahoma fourth and fifth graders to attend, and is set to take place on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Registration is first-come, first-serve.
Outdoor Classroom Inventory
Join a statewide project to gather information about outdoor classrooms in Oklahoma! We are building a clickable website resource for teachers – mapping outdoor classroom resources to enhance science learning.
Access the outdoor classroom survey at: http://www.quia.com/sv/594590.html
Email questions to: Luke Weinbrecht weinbre@okstate.edu or Julie Thomas julie.thomas@okstate.edu
BotBall Grants:
The Oklahoma State Department of Education in partnership with Botball will provide grants up to $2,200 per school to facilitate recent start-up and existing Botball team opportunities. Click the application link to get to the grant application form.
https://www.oklahomascienceteachersassociation.org/?p=4553
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is currently accepting applications for the 2012 Environmental License Tag Grant.
The deadline is December 1, 2012
http://www.deq.state.ok.us/pubs/lpd/eegrant2012.pdf
For questions or more information, contact:
Sara Ivey, (405) 702-7122
Northeastern State University (NSU) Chemistry and Physics Academy:
The NSU Chemistry and Physics Academy (NSU-CAPA) will provide research-based professional development for certified science teachers who want to become certified to teach Chemistry and Physics. The two-year program will focus on teacher knowledge, teacher practice, and student achievement in Chemistry and Physics.
See attached flyer
Educator Award Opportunities:
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Read about it here .
Nominations open in November…start considering great 7-12 science teachers now!
Einstein Educator Fellow
Application Due: 12/5/12
http://science.energy.gov/wdts/einstein/
Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching
Application Due: 12/15/12
http://www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org/distinguished-fulbright-awards-in-teaching-program/application
Opportunities for Students:
Space Camp
Scholarships for summer 2013 are now open! Trainees ages 9-18 can apply here for a weeklong adventure training to be an astronaut at Space Camp®, a fighter pilot at Aviation Challenge® or design robotics on land, in the air and underwater in the ALL NEW Robotics Camp.
Applications are being accepted now through December 14, 2012. Apply today at www.spacecamp.com/scholarships.
Stay Connected:
Follow me on Twitter: @tiffanyneill
Hashtags: #oksde #OKSci #KnowC3 #OKSTEM
Sign Up for a Twitter account: https://twitter.com/
Accessing Archived Science Messages:
You can access Archived Science Messages I’ve sent out since March via the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association (OSTA) website. Scroll down to see previous posts.
Science Listserv:
Please encourage others to register for the science listserv and pass along the following registration link:
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday! And as always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have!
-Tiffany
Tiffany Neill, M.Ed. Director of Science Education Office of Instruction Oklahoma State Department of Education P: 405.522.3524 Tiffany.Neill@sde.ok.gov @tiffanyneill Science Webpage PE & Health Webpage