1. Using Technology to Help Students Develop Science Skills
Molly Charnes
Technology Innovation Pilot Grant

2. Goals
Build student skills in the Next Generation Science Standards Science and Engineering Practices
1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
2. Developing and using models
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
5. Using mathematics and computational thinking
6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
7. Engaging in argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

4. Method Connect with students using Google Classroom
Incorporate web-based resources to address practices
Assess student use of practices using WACA- developed rubrics

5. Developing and using models
Exploring earthquakes
Exploring plate tectonics

6. Developing and using models

7. Developing and using models

8. Planning and carrying out investigations

9. Analyzing and interpreting data & Using mathematics and computational thinking

10. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
Annotating maps & images in Google Docs

11. Engaging in argument from evidence

12. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
Team Poster Presentation of a lab incorporating Google Sheets & LucidChart
(Some students added photos, and tried to incorporate video, as well)

13. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
Students created recordings describing geologic time periods to accompany drawings (Scan the QR codes to listen!)

14. Outcomes
Students became familiar with Google Sheets and how they could be used for making tables, performing calculations, and graphing data
Students were able to collaborate in teams to accomplish scientific tasks: writing procedures, analyzing data, create models
Students were able to practice creating scientific models using LucidChart
Excited about the opportunity for students to orally communicate scientific concepts even if they struggle to write, though implementing this has been a challenge

15. Shifts in practice
As we are still in the process of implementing the Next Generation Science Standards, this provided an opportunity to better understand them and to spend more time thinking about how to get students to apply them to a variety of tasks
Incorporated Google Classroom to organize digital submissions from students and to create an online resource for students

16. Collaboration Shared strategies and ideas with WACA science team
Worked with Pacific University MAT STEM students
Received support from high school science tech coach

17. Next steps Build capacity within WACA science team
Creating time to meet, plan, and find new ways to approach practices
Provide continuity for students: provide technology and expect students to use it to demonstrate skills in the practices
Address challenges discovered this year
Moving media from student devices to Chromebooks
Efficiently training students to use new digital tools
More direct instruction required than expected: though the use technology a lot, many students were uncomfortable when faced with new applications and uses. (Incorporate screencasts, other documents to help students be more self-reliant?)
Find better ways to organize lessons to support students learning to use tools and to individualize ways to demonstrate proficiency (oral recordings, digital presentations)