Science Fiction Fantastics! Integrating Popular Media into Biology and Chemistry Classes By Mindy Bedrossian

Mindy Bedrossian The Association of Educational Publishers Distinguished Achievement Award 2011 The Association of Educational Publishers Distinguished Achievement Award 2011 AAAS/Subaru Teacher Award 2010 AAAS/Subaru Teacher Award 2010 Interviewed on Morning Edition NPR Interviewed on Morning Edition NPR Three Toyota Tapestry Grants Three Toyota Tapestry Grants Published in Journal of Chemical Education Published in Journal of Chemical Education Science Teacher of the Year, Cleveland Science Teacher of the Year, Cleveland Frequent Presenter NSTA Conferences Frequent Presenter NSTA Conferences

If you can’t read a book for pleasure….. How can you expect to read a science book? How can you expect to read a science book? Having trouble falling asleep? Having trouble falling asleep? –Just read a chemistry text!

Purpose Critical understanding of how science is portrayed to the public Critical understanding of how science is portrayed to the public Is it accurate or inaccurate? Is it accurate or inaccurate? How exactly do people incorporate “science knowledge” into their everyday lives? How exactly do people incorporate “science knowledge” into their everyday lives?

Student Limitations 10 th grade Honors Biology (or 9 th grade) 10 th grade Honors Chemistry 11 th grade College Preparatory Chemistry

Further Limitations Availability of the book: Availability of the book: –Library –Bookstore –School-supplied Cost of book

Choose Books Carefully! Make sure they meet school requirements in regards to sex, violence, and language. Make sure they meet school requirements in regards to sex, violence, and language. Make sure that they are not written “down” to students Make sure that they are not written “down” to students Consider both fiction and “fictionalized” non-fiction Consider both fiction and “fictionalized” non-fiction Books should be exciting and hold students’ interest. Books should be exciting and hold students’ interest.

Set Up A Timetable Tell students the first day of class about the book. Tell students the second day of class about the book. Tell students…… Warn them continuously when the official start will begin

Expect Them To Read A Hundred Pages a Week Encourage slow readers to start a month ahead Encourage slow readers to start a month ahead Give an open novel quiz at the end of each week (approx. 3-4 weeks to finish). Give an open novel quiz at the end of each week (approx. 3-4 weeks to finish). Make sure you have a different quiz for each class! Make sure you have a different quiz for each class!

Integrative Approach to Demonstration of Learning Giving diverse learners an open forum to express their own understanding Giving diverse learners an open forum to express their own understanding Using personal strengths to form a meaningful connection with science Using personal strengths to form a meaningful connection with science

Suggested Books The number one best book is Jurassic Park The number one best book is Jurassic Park Andromeda Strain Andromeda Strain Hot Zone Hot Zone Timeline Timeline Sphere Sphere A Short History of Nearly Everything A Short History of Nearly Everything Michael Crichton is well accepted by parents Michael Crichton is well accepted by parents

The Project Design for multiple intelligences Give several options Be flexible but make sure every project gets your approval Require a standard paper with all projects

Suggested Projects Make-A-Scene Make-A-Scene Painting Painting Sculpture Sculpture Write a sequel or illustrated kid’s book Write a sequel or illustrated kid’s book Photography Photography Research Research

More Project Ideas Music, symphonies, solos, etc Music, symphonies, solos, etc Diaries Diaries Cookbook Cookbook Expert Interview Expert Interview Web Page Web Page Skits Skits Videos Videos

Stress QUALITY, EFFORT AND CREATIVITY! Most students respond enthusiastically to the project. Most students respond enthusiastically to the project. Give them the power to choose how to express their learning. Make sure that you provide a framework that demands high quality, time, and effort. Give them the power to choose how to express their learning. Make sure that you provide a framework that demands high quality, time, and effort. You might require a written paper of some sort with their work. You might require a written paper of some sort with their work.

Grading the Projects Use a Rubric type grading system Use a Rubric type grading system Account for neatness, accuracy, completeness of assignment Account for neatness, accuracy, completeness of assignment Written work must follow essay or research paper standards Written work must follow essay or research paper standards I give high marks for creativity I give high marks for creativity Grade for “perceived” work Grade for “perceived” work

Extra Credit Options Guest Speakers add a tremendous amount of interest and excitement to the class Excellence in all aspects including actual presentation FOOD! (kids love doing this)

Medieval Feast

Be Prepared to Enjoy Yourself! There are endless laughs, joy, and fun associated with this project. The positive feedback the students give each other is a pleasure to observe.

THANKS FOR COMING! For further questions: