CURRICULAR GOAL
Produce a curriculum project (4-5 days of students’ in-class work) that translates the research done by this research group into a novel set of activities and thinking that are appropriate for your students.
We have send 3 labs, 3 lesson plans for the labs, and the State Standards for the labs via e-mail attachments.
Each lab is progressive and builds on the other starting out with the Measurement Lab, then the Indicator Lab, and finally resulting in the Spider Webbing Analysis Lab
The following aspects of the curriculum must be addressed in writing:
1. Big Idea and Concepts: Describe them.
The main idea or concept of our project is not to test spider webbing. Testing spider silk is just a tool or process to reach the real goals of the project. The real goals of the project is to subject students to several concepts that could be foreign to them.
Goal 1: Train the students to think outside their normal thought parameters. This not just a plug and chug lab, you will have to think!
Goal 2: To expose students to the real world of science verses impractical science for sake of a grade only.
Goal 3: Give the students at least a small view of real research at the top level (cutting edge research)!
Then:
a. An in-depth discussion of the particular aspects of the ASU research you selected to model with your students over 4-5 days.
Objective aspects (quantitative):
3 labs (send via e-mail), written assessment(still working on the assessment), and 3 short reports (send via e-mail). I will send copies of the assessments, copies of the student work as is appropriate, and pictures of the students in the lab.
Subjective aspects(qualitative):
Slide show/discussion (still working on the slide show), power point/discussion, and possibly a tour of the NMR lab(if I can get by the red tape and paper work).
b. Describe how you are translating these aspects of ASU research into appropriate student activities and thinking.
Dr. Yarger (project director) and Janelle Jenkins (graduate assistants) have been very helpful in translating the research to the level that the average high school student can comprehend. We have tried to make the labs more appropriate for the cogitative level of the high school student by posing a problem at their level and allowing them to solve that problem at their level. Using pictures (power point/slide show), since students are more visually oriented, with a discussion or just a question/answer period. Hands on with the 3 labs should engage most students, which should be interest based verses grade based.
2. Objectives, AZ state standards, Assessments
c. The specific objectives for student learning. (I gave you the ones that are generated from the literature on how people learn (recall the green sheet).
Send via e-mail attachment.
d. The Arizona standards that the curricular project addresses
Send via e-mail attachment.
e. Copies of the learning assessments to be given to students, assessments aligned with your specific objectives and the Arizona state standards.
The assessments will be developed later on in the school year. Depending on many variables that can only be determined in the future. Such as: supplies, student pretest, time permitted depending on the calendar schedule, curriculum covered, and curriculum that needs to be covered, review time etc.
The assessment will include 3 lab reports, 3 short informational reports (one page), a test that includes objective multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and one essay question.
3. A Full Description of each activity
g. So that another teacher of your class could do something similar with his/her students.
Send via e-mail attachment. *note: description of the indicators in lab 2 is on a separate e-mail attachment.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
July 15 MSTF Spider Silk
July 15, 2008
We are wrapping up all the labs, lesson plans, State objectives, and the poster. Everything is coming together quite nicely. We are seeing Dr. Yarger almost every day. He is checking up on the lab, asking questions, answering questions, and giving tours to individuals. Usually the tour he gives is to other researchers etc. All the full time employees of the NMR lab know that our last day is Thursday/Friday but they continue to ask if we need help or just want to talk. I believe on a small degree they will miss us. They tell us that we are welcome anytime we want to drop in and say hello or ask questions. The staff has always been friendly but lately we are getting to know them on a personal side with all their hobbies, likes, dislikes, etc.
I enjoyed the interview with the group in the afternoon. We were slow at first but within a few minutes we were up and running. We are all well versed in our research (Scott and Estaban especially). I’m fortunate to work with these guys. We just seemed to fall into place without any problems even if at times the materials were not easy.
We are wrapping up all the labs, lesson plans, State objectives, and the poster. Everything is coming together quite nicely. We are seeing Dr. Yarger almost every day. He is checking up on the lab, asking questions, answering questions, and giving tours to individuals. Usually the tour he gives is to other researchers etc. All the full time employees of the NMR lab know that our last day is Thursday/Friday but they continue to ask if we need help or just want to talk. I believe on a small degree they will miss us. They tell us that we are welcome anytime we want to drop in and say hello or ask questions. The staff has always been friendly but lately we are getting to know them on a personal side with all their hobbies, likes, dislikes, etc.
I enjoyed the interview with the group in the afternoon. We were slow at first but within a few minutes we were up and running. We are all well versed in our research (Scott and Estaban especially). I’m fortunate to work with these guys. We just seemed to fall into place without any problems even if at times the materials were not easy.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
July 14 MSTF Spider Silk
July 14, 2008
My partners and I continue to put the final details on the poster. There are many word errors that need to be corrected. We have the majority of the project completed. Estaban is heading up the poster since he is the best at Powerpoint. Janelle (graduate assistant) is very interested in any way she can assist us. All the people in the NMR lab always take the time to stop and help or just talk.
Brian the lab director just recently set up a large LCD screen for silk meetings, group conferences, or online conferences. He thought it would be interesting to put in a DVD to see the entertainment value since he just reset the resolution on the screen. It was a comedy. He put in the DVD and left without turning on the sound. We were busy working on labs, posters, etc. and occasionally looking up to watch the silent movie. Dr. Yarger doesn’t visit often, but he decided to visit today. He walked in, saw the DVD playing, immediately recognized the movie, named it, and said, “you can’t watch this movie without sound”. He turned up the volume, smiled, and left. Dr. Yarger and all staff in the NMR lab have a great sense of humor!
My partners and I continue to put the final details on the poster. There are many word errors that need to be corrected. We have the majority of the project completed. Estaban is heading up the poster since he is the best at Powerpoint. Janelle (graduate assistant) is very interested in any way she can assist us. All the people in the NMR lab always take the time to stop and help or just talk.
Brian the lab director just recently set up a large LCD screen for silk meetings, group conferences, or online conferences. He thought it would be interesting to put in a DVD to see the entertainment value since he just reset the resolution on the screen. It was a comedy. He put in the DVD and left without turning on the sound. We were busy working on labs, posters, etc. and occasionally looking up to watch the silent movie. Dr. Yarger doesn’t visit often, but he decided to visit today. He walked in, saw the DVD playing, immediately recognized the movie, named it, and said, “you can’t watch this movie without sound”. He turned up the volume, smiled, and left. Dr. Yarger and all staff in the NMR lab have a great sense of humor!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
July 11 MSTF Spider Silk
July 11, 2008
It was productive in the lab today. Dr. Yarger visited to see how everything was going. I was happy to report that it was all coming together. Thanks to Estaban and Scott working on the Wiki they figured out how to import my graphs . Without the graphs the information on the NMRs would not have made much sense. It took them quite awhile. The Wiki at times is not user friendly if you want to import video or graphs. Estaban is heading up the poster and should be ready for our input on Monday. I finally finished the lab and lesson plans. Estaban and Scott will take a look at them and make corrections. Brian, Rich, and Fred have been very helpful, not only to me but also with others in the MSTF program. They have given directions to those who needed it or have run out of ideas. The extra time in the afternoon is helping to complete the projects.
It was productive in the lab today. Dr. Yarger visited to see how everything was going. I was happy to report that it was all coming together. Thanks to Estaban and Scott working on the Wiki they figured out how to import my graphs . Without the graphs the information on the NMRs would not have made much sense. It took them quite awhile. The Wiki at times is not user friendly if you want to import video or graphs. Estaban is heading up the poster and should be ready for our input on Monday. I finally finished the lab and lesson plans. Estaban and Scott will take a look at them and make corrections. Brian, Rich, and Fred have been very helpful, not only to me but also with others in the MSTF program. They have given directions to those who needed it or have run out of ideas. The extra time in the afternoon is helping to complete the projects.
July 10 MSTF Spider Silk
July 10, 2008
Today we worked on the objectives for the spider web analysis lab. I don’t have excess to the Deer Valley server or my classroom, which contains all the objectives which are in alignment with the State curriculum. We translated the objectives with all strands, concept, and PO’s beside the subjects/topics and vocabulary etc. It makes the curriculum objectives extremely user friendly and you don’t have to start from the beginning with each new unit or topic. I will probably have to align the State standards from the State Education web site. It will take time but I will get the job done.
It was enjoyable showing the NMR lab to the other teachers. We are very fortunate to be working in spiderlab.
Today we worked on the objectives for the spider web analysis lab. I don’t have excess to the Deer Valley server or my classroom, which contains all the objectives which are in alignment with the State curriculum. We translated the objectives with all strands, concept, and PO’s beside the subjects/topics and vocabulary etc. It makes the curriculum objectives extremely user friendly and you don’t have to start from the beginning with each new unit or topic. I will probably have to align the State standards from the State Education web site. It will take time but I will get the job done.
It was enjoyable showing the NMR lab to the other teachers. We are very fortunate to be working in spiderlab.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
MSTF July 8 Spider Webbing
July 9, 2009
I continue to develop the spider web analysis lab. I’m trying to make the lab “bullet proof” which means the lab is explained in detail. You should be about to hand the lab directions to the average student and have them proceed with very little help from the instructor. I will e-mail the lab to Estaban and Scott and have them make any corrections that need to be done. I have been trying to thank like a beginning chemistry student without making any assumptions about pre-learned knowledge. This is not easy because I have learned that most students have not developed analytical deduction (common sense) to a great extent at this point in their cognitive development. No matter how well I explain the lab in writing, I will need to demonstrate or model the procedure. I would like to let the student struggle a little bit but with a tight time table in the curriculum I cannot afford that luxury. The lab has a long procedure but that is better than a short procedure that leaves the student confused and frustrated. I have added various inclusions that I normally don’t have in the average lab. I’m hoping the added short report that is due before the lab can add to the gained knowledge. Having time to work on the lab in the afternoon is a great help.
I continue to develop the spider web analysis lab. I’m trying to make the lab “bullet proof” which means the lab is explained in detail. You should be about to hand the lab directions to the average student and have them proceed with very little help from the instructor. I will e-mail the lab to Estaban and Scott and have them make any corrections that need to be done. I have been trying to thank like a beginning chemistry student without making any assumptions about pre-learned knowledge. This is not easy because I have learned that most students have not developed analytical deduction (common sense) to a great extent at this point in their cognitive development. No matter how well I explain the lab in writing, I will need to demonstrate or model the procedure. I would like to let the student struggle a little bit but with a tight time table in the curriculum I cannot afford that luxury. The lab has a long procedure but that is better than a short procedure that leaves the student confused and frustrated. I have added various inclusions that I normally don’t have in the average lab. I’m hoping the added short report that is due before the lab can add to the gained knowledge. Having time to work on the lab in the afternoon is a great help.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
July 8 MSTF Spider Silk
July 8, 2008
All three of us split up into separate groups (divide and conquer). Estaban is refining the power point, Scott is continuing to work on the biology lab, and I’m working on the chemistry lab. Each one of us will stop to ask or answer questions dealing with our particular responsibilities. It is fun and interesting when Tom the graduate assistant sits down with us just to talk. I had many questions concerning the chemistry lab equipment and how to substitute expensive equipment for inexpensive equipment that meets relative error adequacy for the high school level. Electronic or manual calibrated micropipettes cost $100 and up whereas plastic micropipettes can measure to the tenth of a mL. High school students in general cannot be trusted with this sensitive equipment. Plastic micropipettes are extremely cheap and unbreakable. They are not near as accurate but will clearly do for the purpose of our lab. Janelle had the idea of using drops from a bottle and each student calibrated their own dropper which is actually more accurate than a plastic pipette. This could be a separate lab within itself concerning measurement, calibrations, conversions, and mathematical logic. I will probably use this lab before I do the spider silk lab. I know I have said it before but I’m going to say it again, “I enjoy the all the help we get in the lab research area and the people. They are obviously intelligent, but also are very humorous. I look forward to each morning in the lab.” I will definitely miss all of them. I hope we can have contact in the future!
All three of us split up into separate groups (divide and conquer). Estaban is refining the power point, Scott is continuing to work on the biology lab, and I’m working on the chemistry lab. Each one of us will stop to ask or answer questions dealing with our particular responsibilities. It is fun and interesting when Tom the graduate assistant sits down with us just to talk. I had many questions concerning the chemistry lab equipment and how to substitute expensive equipment for inexpensive equipment that meets relative error adequacy for the high school level. Electronic or manual calibrated micropipettes cost $100 and up whereas plastic micropipettes can measure to the tenth of a mL. High school students in general cannot be trusted with this sensitive equipment. Plastic micropipettes are extremely cheap and unbreakable. They are not near as accurate but will clearly do for the purpose of our lab. Janelle had the idea of using drops from a bottle and each student calibrated their own dropper which is actually more accurate than a plastic pipette. This could be a separate lab within itself concerning measurement, calibrations, conversions, and mathematical logic. I will probably use this lab before I do the spider silk lab. I know I have said it before but I’m going to say it again, “I enjoy the all the help we get in the lab research area and the people. They are obviously intelligent, but also are very humorous. I look forward to each morning in the lab.” I will definitely miss all of them. I hope we can have contact in the future!
Monday, July 7, 2008
July 7 MSTF Spider Webbing
July 7, 2008
Today was a quiet day in the lab after the power outage on Thursday. They still have not determined the problem or why the system did not reroute the power as it was designed to do. Some information was loss from the 400 NMR’s but no problems with the 800 NMR. We are continuing to design an experiment for the high school level. We have developed problems how to evaluate the lab on a quantitative scale. I came up with the idea of testing the viscosity of each fluid with different sizes of glass tubing and comparing it to a standard. This is not a very good quantitative test because it has qualitative values but this is the best we have. We are limited to lack of equipment and the student expertise to operate that equipment. I’m starting on writing the lab directions. It is becoming long but I need to make sure that the students can do the lab with minimal help from the instructor. If you make the directions unclear the students will either default the lab or ask so many questions that the instructor does the lab for them. We also continued to discuss the power point due on Tuesday. Janelle, Emilee, and Tom the undergraduates and graduate assistants are always friendly, patient, and helpful! It was good to spend a little time in the afternoon to work on the projects in are research groups.
Today was a quiet day in the lab after the power outage on Thursday. They still have not determined the problem or why the system did not reroute the power as it was designed to do. Some information was loss from the 400 NMR’s but no problems with the 800 NMR. We are continuing to design an experiment for the high school level. We have developed problems how to evaluate the lab on a quantitative scale. I came up with the idea of testing the viscosity of each fluid with different sizes of glass tubing and comparing it to a standard. This is not a very good quantitative test because it has qualitative values but this is the best we have. We are limited to lack of equipment and the student expertise to operate that equipment. I’m starting on writing the lab directions. It is becoming long but I need to make sure that the students can do the lab with minimal help from the instructor. If you make the directions unclear the students will either default the lab or ask so many questions that the instructor does the lab for them. We also continued to discuss the power point due on Tuesday. Janelle, Emilee, and Tom the undergraduates and graduate assistants are always friendly, patient, and helpful! It was good to spend a little time in the afternoon to work on the projects in are research groups.
MSTF July 3 Spider Webbing
July 3
Today was the first day we did not have any set plans. It all worked out for the good. I took the time to talk to Scott about loading video on the Wiki and the Power point on Tuesday. Later I did some research on NMR’s. I discussed how to simplify the NMRs process for other teachers or students with Tom. He was extremely helpful. Trying to simplify the NMR process is like trying to simplify calculus. It will not be easy but I will try. Just when I thank I’m making progress, the power goes out! This could be a serious situation with the 800 MNR(the big one-2.5 million dollars) concerning a 3 day experiment half way done and possible loss of gas which displaces oxygen. We had to evacuate the building!
In the afternoon we learned more about the robotics program and watched the robots compete in various situations concerning a maze run and ball collection.
Today was the first day we did not have any set plans. It all worked out for the good. I took the time to talk to Scott about loading video on the Wiki and the Power point on Tuesday. Later I did some research on NMR’s. I discussed how to simplify the NMRs process for other teachers or students with Tom. He was extremely helpful. Trying to simplify the NMR process is like trying to simplify calculus. It will not be easy but I will try. Just when I thank I’m making progress, the power goes out! This could be a serious situation with the 800 MNR(the big one-2.5 million dollars) concerning a 3 day experiment half way done and possible loss of gas which displaces oxygen. We had to evacuate the building!
In the afternoon we learned more about the robotics program and watched the robots compete in various situations concerning a maze run and ball collection.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
July 2 MSTF Spider Webbing
July 2
We did not do to any wet lab research today, but we evaluated the results from yesterdays lab work. To review, we mixed up acid solutions, at different molarities, and subjected webbing to each of 15 simples of acids. We evaluated the simples of acid and webbing immediately and 24 hours time intervals. Our evaluation was strictly on a qualitative level with three categories: color, clarity, and viscosity. We approached Tom with the problem of quantitative analysis of the tested simples. He needed time to thank of possible solutions to the problem and will give us an answer tomorrow. Dr. Yarger is interested in our results. Scott took some great video of the spiders silking which we will post on the Wiki in the next day or two.
In the afternoon we discussed modeling and many different ideas and concepts involved. It is good for teachers to discuss, brainstorm, and even to argue. It would be helpful to model the models!
We did not do to any wet lab research today, but we evaluated the results from yesterdays lab work. To review, we mixed up acid solutions, at different molarities, and subjected webbing to each of 15 simples of acids. We evaluated the simples of acid and webbing immediately and 24 hours time intervals. Our evaluation was strictly on a qualitative level with three categories: color, clarity, and viscosity. We approached Tom with the problem of quantitative analysis of the tested simples. He needed time to thank of possible solutions to the problem and will give us an answer tomorrow. Dr. Yarger is interested in our results. Scott took some great video of the spiders silking which we will post on the Wiki in the next day or two.
In the afternoon we discussed modeling and many different ideas and concepts involved. It is good for teachers to discuss, brainstorm, and even to argue. It would be helpful to model the models!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
July 1 MSTF Spider Webbing
July 1 MSTF
Today we mixed up various solutions of acids and with molarities from 10 molar to 1 molar. Labeling the containers, mixing the small but accurate solutions, and massing the webbing which is not easy, took longer than I thought. We worked into lunch to finish the testing. We could have finished tomorrow but it was more appropriate to finish up today. It was rushed as usual but we finished!
In the afternoon we toured the Polytechnic campus. I really enjoyed the tour of the research labs. I especially appreciated the LARB lab. I never thought algae could be so interesting and useful. I hope to follow the research in the future. Dr. Summerfield in charge of the program was an excellent source of information and a very good communicator. The first hour of the tour feel like freshmen rush week. Which was OK, but the time could have been better spend in the research labs. We didn’t have the opportunity to visit the Hydroponic lab which was disappointing. I would be willing to visit the campus in the future just to see the advances that are being made in this field. It was a long day but a good day.
Today we mixed up various solutions of acids and with molarities from 10 molar to 1 molar. Labeling the containers, mixing the small but accurate solutions, and massing the webbing which is not easy, took longer than I thought. We worked into lunch to finish the testing. We could have finished tomorrow but it was more appropriate to finish up today. It was rushed as usual but we finished!
In the afternoon we toured the Polytechnic campus. I really enjoyed the tour of the research labs. I especially appreciated the LARB lab. I never thought algae could be so interesting and useful. I hope to follow the research in the future. Dr. Summerfield in charge of the program was an excellent source of information and a very good communicator. The first hour of the tour feel like freshmen rush week. Which was OK, but the time could have been better spend in the research labs. We didn’t have the opportunity to visit the Hydroponic lab which was disappointing. I would be willing to visit the campus in the future just to see the advances that are being made in this field. It was a long day but a good day.
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