October 25, 2010

By: John G. from New York, NY
Comments: 22

Posted By: John Galt
On: 6/12/2007 7:29:38 PM

I am probably going to teach a 9th grade science class next year with almost total freedom. The only guiding principles are to make science interesting and do project based learning. I thought perhaps I would incorporate design principles we learned last summer in at least some of the projects. Of course, I will take a closer look at the lessons that are posted, but does anyone have any ideas? Please feel free to brainstorm fun moments you have had in science, especially those that would relate to design.

Posted By: Miranda Thompson
On: 6/12/2007 11:20:46 PM

I started doing our service learning project this year under the broad title of "conservation", but had to scale back to "community garden" (which actually has now become a juggernaut of a project in it's own right.) The kids actually have been doing fun hands on science in measuring the soil. We calculated our carbon footprint and determined easy ways to cut back on waste. We were going to get into design for a variety of eco friendly products, from the realistic (better recycling containers for home and school) to the futuristic (model future eco friendly houses and cars using Google's iSketch and physical models), but onle a few students got really into the design due to limitations on time and ability. The design software is cool, but really time consuming. Excuses aside, there is a wealth of info out there about implementing a science/conservation/design curriculum in the classroom, and lots of free resources to get you started.

Posted By: John Galt
On: 6/13/2007 8:40:44 AM

Dear Miranda, What you did sounds interesting. What level of students were involved in your service learning project? Was this a year long project or part of a class? Also, you mentioned "a wealth of info out there about implementing a science/conservation/design curriculum in the classroom, and lots of free resources to get you started." Would you mind listing the links to these curriculum and free resources you mentioned? Thank you!

Posted By: Caroline Payson
On: 6/13/2007 11:34:40 AM

Hi John, You might want to start by looking at some of the online resources we have here on this site-lesson plans by teachers, PBS or Marco Polo. There's also a section on books and curriculum. Good luck! Caroline

Posted By: George Latos
On: 6/13/2007 1:58:47 PM

https://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99599.htm Man, artesian divers, great fun. very interesting principal. They can make their own out of a variety of containers.

Posted By: Deborah Klose
On: 6/17/2007 2:38:01 PM

As a science teacher, I'm sure that you will be involved with science fair projects. As an arts educator I discuss the importance of design elements and principles with my students when they prepare Science Fair and National History Day projects. I tell them that the very first impression made on judges is visual. It is much easier to draw attention to the content of a project if there is a strong visual design. This is a good opportunity to bring what you learned about design into your new science position.

Posted By: Susan Miller
On: 6/19/2007 5:10:26 PM

Hi John, I haven't done this yet, but I've been hoping to get to do a garden designing unit with my students in art, but as a collaboration between art and science (and math...translating scale) as our 4th graders study plant life. This fits right in with much of what we discussed at SDI. Remember when we brainstormed garden ideas in groups? THere are lots of resources available, both online and in libraries, bookstores, etc. THe starting point for me would be. WHat kind of space are you designing, who is it for (client) and then break it apart into built form/space and natural form/space. Good luck! It sounds great. Susan Miller

Posted By: Stephanie Mulvihill
On: 6/19/2007 9:24:20 PM

John, How fun! How overwhelming! Here's some ideas. I'm (the art teacher) actually working very closely with our Life Science teacher next year. Some of the basic principles we'll be following is that both art (and design) and science are lenses to observe, understand and interpret the natural world. Our first project will be to take a look at naturalists field journals, DaVinci's journals to understand that artists and scientists are above all observers. They'll then make thier own books to use throughout the rest of the year as a visual journal.

Posted By: John Galt
On: 6/20/2007 1:42:12 PM

Deborah, I think that is a good idea to reach out and work with the art department when students are designing their science fair presentations (good art collaboration!). Stephanie, I really like the idea of using DaVinci's journals as a model for students to use as they progress in their work.

Posted By: Catherine Perry
On: 6/21/2007 4:10:14 PM

Nature is a wonderful way to bridge together art, science and math. I've had students look at the Fibonacci number series with the actual numbers, then sent them off on a nature walk (luckily, we have a beautiful NYC park across the street) to count the branches, leaves or pods of what they found. Fibonacci was everywhere! I also showed them about the Golden Ratio while we were looking at DaVinci, and again looked at proportions in nature. I also have classes look at fractals, which I find fascinating, and they do too. The point about observation is paramount; i always tell them that 90% of art is what you do with your eyes. Your hands follow. It's the same with scientists, mathemeticians, etc.

Posted By: Dorothy Ahoklui
On: 6/21/2007 11:52:51 PM

If you will be teaching 9th grade science, one activity that I would suggest starting off with is the the egg drop activity which was conducted at last summer's SDI training. The activity relates design thiking to the scientific method.

Posted By: Catherine Perry
On: 6/22/2007 7:46:55 PM

I LOVED doing that egg drop activity, but was vehemently discouraged from doing it in my school; but I am thinking of doing it with small high school groups this summer. But the scientific method type of approach and the experimental approach certainly does make this lesson a ''design across the curriculum" activity.

Posted By: Louis Mazza
On: 6/23/2007 2:43:13 PM

I'm wondering if anyone else has had negative experiences with the administration of their schools toward any of their projects. Attached to this is the question of whether or not any of your students have misused or destroyed any of the materials you have provided. I myself have had a rude awakening at the end of the year when it came time to inventory my supplies and assess what I will need next year. I attribute some of this to my inexperience as a teacher and managing a system of distribution and accountability, but I am still shocked at the abuse of materials sometimes!