The focus of the 2012 science teacher workshop was Engaging interest through novel materials and inquiry-based activities and demonstrations for the science classroom. Our workshops target upper elementary teachers, junior high teachers as well as secondary science teachers.
During the first part of the workshop our RET teachers presented their curriculum models. Powerpoint files of the teacher presentations can be found at their RET project pages and the actual curriculum projects are available below.
The second part of the workshop focused on a series of materials-science related activities and demonstrations titled “Materials for inquiry- materials science in your classroom”. Please contact Frank Kinnaman for any of these files in .doc format or with any other questions about other MRL educational resources.
MATERIAL
- Kevin Cozzoli - Getting Dirty: Turning 6th Graders into Soil Scientists
- James Jackson - Real Inquiry: Integrating the New Common Core and Health Standards into your existing lessons and labs
- Jannine Tuttle - Incorporating Inquiry: Students as Scientists
- Jenny Willis - Bringing "Life" back to Life Science
Additional Resources
Please also consider applying for this summer’s Research Experience for Teachers program, a paid research internship for teachers. Opportunities are still available!
In the MRL RET program secondary school teachers participate in MRL laboratory research under the mentorship of graduate, post-doctoral and faculty researchers. Teachers work collaboratively to translate their research experiences into the development of novel projects for science classrooms. More information below. Feel free to share the program with your science teacher colleagues.
Additional Activities
Background information and classroom appropriate activities covering this exciting recent breakthrough in materials science. Activites can also apply towards basic electronic circuits curricula.
Graphene Exfoliation
Use the same method as the recent Nobel prize winners to isolate graphene from graphite!
Graphene Exfoliation
Use the same method as the recent Nobel prize winners to isolate graphene from graphite!
Business Card Flashlight Activity
Graphite Potentiometer
Potentiometers are a type of variable resistor (or knob) all around us. Here use graphite to create your own potentiometer.
For another great graphite potentiometer activity see Jesse Kasehagens curriculum project: Exploring graphite potentiometers
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