PlanTastic Science Unit: Experiential Learning using Technology PlanTastic Science Unit: Experiential Learning using Technology By Tiffani Neal MAIT 404

Imagine this?  You teach science at a continuation high school. Most students are at risk of dropping out of school due to low graduation credits.  The students are stigmatized by their school district, family members, and even their community because of the school they attend.  These students are neither motivated or inspired easily.

What should you do to improve their academic performance and motivation?

Capstone Project Goal  To create a California Standard Base Science Unit  Use the adopted district science textbook to create experiential lessons  Use technology to enhance academic performance and learning comprehension.

Guiding Questions  How can my designed unit plan showcase science- specific experiential learning with lessons to increase the interest and performance level of at-risk students in secondary school if teachers were to implement them?  How can my unit plan assist teachers outside of the science content area to infuse science experiential learning activities and improve teachers ability to implement cross-curricular activities?

My Audience  Science Teachers teaching at Continuation high schools  Continuation high schools students with:  Lack of motivation  Lack of inspiration  Lack of performance

Purpose  Create a unit plan for teachers to use to reach at risk students  Make Lessons Plans for teachers to implements in their classes that will:  Provide students with science specific experiential learning  Increase student’s interest and academic performance

Objective Students will Improve their academic performance and subject matter interest through scientific specific content and interactive lessons using technology.

Capstone Procedures Steps for Success

Unit Theme: What do you know about PLANTS? 1.Create an attractive unit theme

 Week 1 :Origins of Plant Life  Week 2: Classification of Plants  Week 3: Diversity of Flowering Plants  Week 4: Plants in Human Culture  Week 5: Plant Cells and Tissues  Week 6: The Vascular System  Week 7: Roots and Stems & Leaves  Week 8:Plant Life Cycle and Reproduction  Week 9: Seed Dispersal and Germination  Week 10:  Week 10: Greenway Xeriscape Project Design 2. Give each week a focused theme

3. Create specific thematic work days : Vocabulary Mondays Lecture Tuesdays Wellness Wednesdays Activity Thursdays Review and Quiz Fridays

Weekly Lesson Plan Example

4. Create a weekly lesson plan Include the following: Weekly theme Daily Themes California State Standards for the week. Daily Objectives Warm-up questions Class Agenda/ Activities Assessments (Formative) Assessments (Formative) Reflections for necessary modification during the next week

Daily Lesson Plan Example

“Vocabulary” Monday’s

“Lecture” Tuesday’s

“Activity” Thursday

“Review and Quiz” Friday Review & Quiz

While thinking of modern technology with regards to communication…

Greenway Xeriscape Project Design

Research  Literature Review  The collaboration of WCCUSD Science Lead teachers, WCCUSD Academic sub- committee, Samuel L. Gompers instructional leadership team  Saint Mary’s College MAIT Courses

Challenges  Fear of getting started  High turn-over rate with students  Scheduling do to Standardize testing  Finding Funding to make students plans come true.

Outcomes  Teaching strategies have an everlasting effect on the lives of at-risk students especially those taking science. Creating service-learning projects will increase student’s academic success influencing their completion of high school, thus graduating.

A place where teachers and students can experience a PlanTasic Lesson!