Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science (K-5) - Sunlight to Starch
This workshop for elementary science teachers was produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in partnership with the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. It provides model lessons that facilitate an exploration into how plants get their food. Starting with seeds, which have their own source of food, the program traces the growth of a plant, the development of chlorophyll in its leaves, and the production of sugar and starch in a process known as photosynthesis.
Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science (K-5) - Energy and Ecosystems
This workshop for elementary science teachers was produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in partnership with the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. It provides model lessons that facilitate an exploration into how light energy that has been absorbed by plants during photosynthesis and transformed into chemical energy can now be transferred to other organisms. Energy is contained within food molecules made by plants such as sugar and starch, therefore when animals eat plants, or when they eat other animals, the energy is passed to them. Participants in this program explore the source of this energy in our ecosystems, which is generally visible light.
Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science (K-5) - Sun and Seasons
This workshop for elementary science teachers was produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in partnership with the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. It provides model lessons that introduce students to how the tilt of the Earth's axis causes the cycle of the seasons. Participants discuss how different parts of the Earth receive different amounts of light energy and, in particular, we look at the tilt of the Earth's axis and how the hours of daylight change throughout the year. We also touch on the long-term history of climactic changes on Earth.
Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science (K-5) - Wind and Weather
This workshop for elementary science teachers was produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in partnership with the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. It provides model lessons that facilitate an exploration of the climactic conditions of each season. In particular, participants in this workshop examine the effect of light on our weather. We follow the path of light as it enters our atmosphere and is absorbed, reflected, and radiated as heat by the land and by the water. We then visit a fifth grade classroom as they explore these phenomena and examine a weather map to discover the significance of high and low pressure.
Reactions in Chemistry: Atoms and Molecules
This program deals with teaching the very first steps of chemistry. It introduces the basic building blocks - the atoms - which, through their properties, periodicity and binding, form molecules. The program offers different ways to represent these basic concepts by creating useful models in the minds of new chemistry students. It follows the development of these concepts through history and their use in modern technology.
Reactions in Chemistry: Macro to Micro Structures
This program deals with the conceptualization of micro processes and environments. It involves teaching chemistry through macro phenomena, which can be observed, and micro processes, which occur on the molecular level and can only be imagined. Conceptual change must occur in order for students to understand chemical phenomena. Teaching for conceptual change poses a great challenge to teachers, because they must create imaginary and physical models in order to help students visualize microenvironments and processes that occur within them.
Reactions in Chemistry: Energetics and Dynamics
This program emphasizes the importance of learning about energetics and dynamics in order to improve students’ understanding of basic principles of chemistry. The complexity of teaching concepts such as the collisions theory, reaction kinetics, and electronic energy levels is introduced using a variety of teaching strategies. These concepts are related to everyday phenomena through topics such as nuclear and solar energy, which are brought about as examples for nuclear chemistry.
Reactions in Chemistry: Theory and Practice in Chemical Systems
This program shows how a theoretical understanding of the driving force for chemical systems can lead to further development of new technologies and to the discovery of new phenomena, in practice. In teaching, this is done through the creation of a close relationship between the science and mathematics of chemical processes, through problem-solving activities. These activities, which are based on a systematic interpretation of chemistry into mathematics, make the connection between theory and practice. These basic skills form the foundation for learning about chemical systems.
Reactions in Chemistry: Chemical Design
This program deals with basic concepts that are required for the understanding of chemical design. The idea is brought about by experiences from everyday life, such as the stoichiometry of baking, the ingredients of soft drinks, the components of drugs, and the chromatography of markers. The tools of the chemical designer — the chemist — are found in the laboratory, and the procedure which leads to the development of new materials is based on scientific investigation. These tools are applied to chemistry teaching in the classroom and to the facilitating of laboratory learning.
Reactions in Chemistry: The Chemistry of Life
This program discusses the chemistry of the wonders of life. It starts off with the way life began, and goes on to deal with the structure and function of biological molecules. It emphasizes the value of relating chemical principles to biology studies, and states that living organisms are huge chemical systems in equilibrium. Thus, learning processes are based on the chemistry of life, and this program shows how effective classroom strategies aim at enhanced learning.