Thomas Kjerstein has fully embraced the notion of hands-on learning.
The science educator has made it his personal mission to teach students about environmental conservation by providing real-life examples of how climate change can affect an ecosystem.
Using PASCO’s Xplorer GLX in combination with PASPORT probes and sensors, Kjerstein conducted a series of field experiments in Greenland. Focusing on glaciers and their surrounding area, he measured the CO2 and O2 levels present in glaciers and tested the effect salt samples had when combined with fractions of ice – providing valuable insight into the way a slight change in salinity can impact a receding glacier.
The Xplorer GLX was also paired with a GPS sensor. Data was then uploaded to Google Earth, giving students a global perspective from which to analyze the findings.
Kjerstein has written a paper that outlines his methodology and provides tips on how technology-based learning can be used in the science classroom. Click “read more” to see his full-length article.
Note: Kjerstein’s paper was originally written in Danish and was converted to English using Google Translator. Click here if you’d like to download the original PDF file in Danish.
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David Thornburg, founder and director of the Thornburg Center for Space Exploration has written an excellent paper on the current state of science education. In it, he identifies five challenges that science educators in the U.S. face and offers suggestions to address, and perhaps reform, what he believes to be gaps in the educational system.
According to Thornburg, the biggest issues facing science educators today are:
- a shortage of qualified teachers;
- a curriculum that depicts science and scientists as “devoid of … human passion”;
- a reluctance to embrace a “hands on” approach to science teaching;
- a dated, “question and answer” approach which relies heavily on memorization (as opposed to research and independent knowledge-seeking) and
- a failure to connect science with topics that are relevant to students.
Here in Canada, educators face similar challenges. A 2010 study by IPSOS Reid, for example, indicates that 78% of Canadian youths aged 12 to 13 express a “high level” of interest in science education. These numbers fall sharply as students progress through the school system; by the time they reach 17 years of age, only 58% have maintained an enthusiasm for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.
There are many factors that can contribute to a declining interest in science with age. The study clearly indicates a need for educators to re-assess their current STEM-based curriculum for relevancy.
It has been demonstrated that students tend to thrive in a hands-on, technology-based environment, many educators – and curriculums – have been slow to adopt electronic teaching aids. Thornburg urges educators to provide students with tools that will enable them to explore science in a creative, hands-on manner.
“Innovative educators have always made connections between science and other topics,” Thornburg says.
“The power of treating the STEM subjects in an integrated fashion strengthens the understanding of each of them … as [teachers] look at these challenges, and identify more … I hope [they] will think about ways to address them.”
Click here to read Thornburg’s article.
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev for short) is a government initiative designed to support economic and community innovation and, more specifically, to strengthen the region’s position in the knowledge-based economy.
FedDev’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Youth Initiative encourages young people to embrace education and careers in these fields through strategic partnerships with STEM-based industry leaders.
The goal of the STEM Youth Initiative is to create a focused and coordinated STEM outreach program.
Not-for-profit organizations that encourage youths between kindergarten and Grade 12 to embrace STEM education can to apply for funding that will allow for the expansion of their pre-existing initiatives.
To learn more about this initiative and to apply online, visit FedDev Ontario.
