Student teachers at Ball State University are required to complete an in-depth unit long data driven analysis of their student teaching called Learning Assessment Model Project (LAMP). I chose to run the project during the stoichiometry unit. Stoichiometry is a unifying topic of chemistry. It synthesizes previously taught topics of writing chemical formulas, calculating molar masses, performing molar conversions, and balancing chemical reaction equations so that students may apply prior knowledge to its fullest use. Stoichiometry is rigorous and challenging for students. My aim was to make this topic both accessible and useful for my students by relating it to their everyday lives. We chose the stoichiometry unit to run our LAMP project in as most students, except possibly those who have taken integrated chemistry and physics, have no experience with stoichiometry. We wanted to see the direct impact that our teaching had upon students. The following is a summary of the project, its outcome and conclusions drawn from it.
Tag Archives: HLP 4
Gas Laws Inquiry Investigation
I began the Gas Laws unit wondering how to present Gas Law equations in a more engaging way. Mr. Smith suggested that we approach the discussion from an inquiry perspective using the new DataHub instruments at the school. We had used the DataHub during Gas Laws in Chemistry II, so I modified an activity that had been used with them to present and derive the Gas Laws for Chemistry I. The following data table was generated for student data collection during the in class demos: Gas Law Investigation
Problem-Based Learning: Unit Plan
Students complain that school isn’t relatable. Employers complain that we don’t generate problem solvers. Problem Based Learning answers the complexities of both of these issues in one fell swoop, all the while being aligned to state curriculum standards.
Alexandria received a grant of $335,000 from the state of Indiana as part of the Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination Program to help with the demolition of eyesore properties around town. The question remains: was this a good deal for the city? A slideshow outlining the entire project may be viewed at: https://www.emaze.com/@AFRWRLTW/razed-and-rising
Values Affirmation & Eliminating Gender Gap
One assignment in our educational psychology course required us to to review a journal article and present it to the class. I chose: http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/~tami/Sun/MRS_files/Science-2010-Miyake-1234-7%20copy.pdf for my review. I have always been fascinated by women’s performance in the math and science fields, so this seemed a logical fit.
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