Building the Workforce of Tomorrow Together Standards aligned science lessons for schools
Our goal Ambassador passion and experience
Smithsonian knowledge base
Teacher instructional expertise Dow
Inspiring students to connect the classroom to the scientific community
Chemical industry expertise
Smithsonian knowledge base Professional development and curriculum
Understanding of latest science education research
Access to the full range of Smithsonian science resources
Smithsonian knowledge base
Alignment to state and national standards Module
Michigan Department of Education Science K-7 Grade Level Content Expectations
Next Generation Science Standards Middle School Performance Expectations
Energy transfer
P.EN.06.41 Explain how different forms of energy can be transferred from one place to another by
Chemical reactions
radiation, conduction, or convection. P.EN.06.42 Illustrate how energy can be transferred while no energy is lost or gained in the transfer. P.CM.07.21 Identify evidence of chemical change through color, gas formation, solid
MS-PS3-5 Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object
formation, and temperature change. P.CM.07.22 Compare and contrast the chemical properties of a new substance with the original after a chemical change. P.CM.07.23 Describe the physical properties and chemical properties of the products and reactants in a chemical
MS-PS1-2 Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.
Smithsonian knowledge base
Module framework: model-based inquiry
After lighting a candle, the teacher will ask students to construct a model to explain their observations.
Teacher will ask students to predict what will happen if the candle is covered and explain their reasoning.
Model construction: students construct a model expressing an idea or hypothesis
Model testing: students empirically test model and investigate phenomena
Ambassador will guide class through a demonstration and investigations that will help students make sense of phenomena.
Model refinement and evaluation: students return to model and compare with empirical findings
Teacher will setup candle again and ask students to evaluate, refine, and adjust their original model. Teacher will review predictions.
Smithsonian knowledge base Energy Transfer
Ambassador demonstration • The ambassador will demonstrate and discuss a bike-powered generator that shows how energy is transferred from one object to another. The bike will have the potential to power two different kinds of light bulbs.
Student investigation • Students will determine how energy is transferred from one object to another by investigating crank radios, hand warmers, solar cells, radiometers, ice packs, and other items.
STEM career connection • The ambassador will review key findings from the investigation and facilitate a discussion on related Dow products and processes and STEM careers.
Smithsonian knowledge base Chemical Reactions
Ambassador demonstration • The ambassador will demonstrate making ‘elephant toothpaste’ and dry Ice/liquid nitrogen experiments and discuss the differences between a physical change and a chemical reaction.
Student investigation • Students will explore shape memory alloys, making green slime, and a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. Students will then be asked to decide if a chemical reaction has taken place and explain their reasoning.
STEM career connection • The ambassador will review key findings from the investigation and facilitate a discussion on related Dow products and processes and STEM careers.
Ambassador passion and experience
Teach
Learn
Work
Advocate
Teacher instructional expertise Pedagogy of science education Embodies lifelong learning
Ingenuity Classroom management Remediation and enrichment
Hands-on activities
Dow Chemical industry expertise Linking science to real solutions developed by Dow Chemical Company Solar panels
Formulations
Project deliverables • • • •
Does a monarch butterfly sleep?
Full lesson notes for teachers and ambassadors Downloadable student handouts Digital resources for enrichment, remediation, and extension Student friendly poster using the theme of “Anyone who asks a question can be a scientist” (see below) I became an entomologist because I always wanted to know...