Last time we looked at how programs such as Skydome Planetarium meet State Educational Standards in science. Now I would like to continue that discussion with a look at another scientific discipline, chemistry.
But most classrooms are at a disadvantage in teaching science since many lack exotic props and gizmos of the kind that excite kids. Kids often think science is just plain boring! And yet, they will happily sit and watch television programs like Mythbusters, where science is employed every week. Why? Simple. Explosions, fire, cars ramming into walls at high speed and so on. Kids love this stuff!
But how to get it across in a classroom in a way that kids find exciting?
Most states have facets of their elementary curriculum that deal with basic chemistry. The three states of matter, how matter changes, solubility etc. Let’s look at Kentucky again for example. Here is a section taken from the standards in Kentucky relating to primary grades:
SC-EP-1.1.3
Students will describe the properties of water as it occurs as a solid, liquid or gas.
Matter (water) can exist in different states--solid, liquid and gas. Properties of those states of matter can be used to describe and classify them.
DOK 2
And here is a section from the fourth grade:
SC-04-1.1.1
Students will explain how matter, including water, can be changed from one state to another.
Materials can exist in different states--solid, liquid and gas. Some common materials, such as water, can be changed from one state to another by heating or cooling. Resulting cause and effect relationships should be explored, described and predicted.
DOK 3
And here is one from the fifth grade
SC-05-1.1.1
Students will describe the physical properties of substances (e.g., boiling point, solubility, density).
A substance has characteristic physical properties (e.g., boiling point, solubility, density) that are independent of the amount of the sample.
DOK 2
Wow!
Next time - State Standards and the physical sciences!
Geoff Beauchamp is the Regional Manager of Mobile Ed Productions where "Education Through Entertainment" has been the guiding principal since 1979. Mobile Ed Productions produces and markets quality educational school assembly programs in the fields of science, history, writing, astronomy, natural science, mathematics, character issues and a variety of other curriculum based areas. In addition, Mr. Beauchamp is a professional actor with 30 years of experience in film, television and on stage. He created and still performs occasionally in Mobile Ed's THE LIVING LINCOLN