Teachers Conduct Hands-On-Minds-On Inquiry-Based Investigations During Teacher Training Workshop

Diana Wehrell-Grabowski — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:16:27 +0000

Teachers were actively engaged in the learning process as they conducted hands-on-minds-on, inquiry-based investigations to explore FCAT science content and concepts. I began the workshop with having teachers discuss how they help to develop and strengthen critical thinking skills in their students. Teachers conducted investigations to explore the nature of matter, physical science, earth and life science concepts. It was a great group of teachers, and fantastic Central Florida school. I expect great strides in the science classroom from this group of motivated teachers and their students.

Florida Teachers Attend Teacher Training Workshop to Explore Life Science Concepts

Diana Wehrell-Grabowski — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:19:21 +0000

I’ve been conducting full-day teacher training workshops for the past two weeks at a quaint beachside elementary school located in Volusia county, Florida. The six hour workshops are conducted for specific grade levels, aligning with their curriculum maps for the last 9 weeks of the 2009–2010 school year. The following photos were taken from the 4th and 5th grade teacher sessions. During the workshop teachers conducted numerous inquiry-based hands-on science investigations to explore life science concepts. Teachers recorded notes, observations, and attached specimens in their interactive student notebooks. Investigations made connections to the Big Ideas 14–17 from Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. The teachers left the workshop revitalized, energized, and excited about exploring life science concepts with their students. Great group of teachers, and an example of a school that has placed emphasis on the importance of conducting meaningful science with their students. During the teacher training workshop teachers conducted the following investigations:

Conducted investigations to explore classification concepts (animal)
Conducted investigations to explore classification concepts (plant)
Conducted investigations to explore life cycles within the plant and animal kingdoms
Conducted investigations to compare and contrast among the plant and animal kingdoms
Designed and constructed a model of a plant or animal cell using a ziplock bag filled with Karo Syrup (represents cytoplasm), with additional materials placed within the bag to represent the cell organelles.
Designed and constructed a classroom terrarium representing a complete ecosystem (garden snails, pill bugs, earthworms, bird seed, soil, water, and decaying plant material were placed inside aquariums). Concepts covered included: interdependence, ecology, environment, food web, community, sun, energy, energy transformation, producers, consumers, and decomposers.
The key concept integrated within all investigations undertaken was structure and function in the plant and animal kingdoms.

Teacher uses a microscope to observe pond water organisms.

Teacher builds model plant cell from simple household materials.Cell model lab sheet used in making model of plant and animal cell.

Teachers used interactive student journals during teacher training workshop.

Teacher builds classroom terrarium to teach about life science concepts.

Teachers studied the Hibiscus plants as well as the animals that live on or near the Hibiscus plants.

FCAT Science » Hands-On Science Explorations

Teachers Conduct Hands-On-Minds-On Inquiry-Based Investigations During Teacher Training Workshop

Florida Teachers Attend Teacher Training Workshop to Explore Life Science Concepts