By VYNARACK XAYKAO
Staff writer
Some North Texas teachers now know how to
make musical instruments from plastic pipes. The "thumb tubes" vary in length to
correspond to different notes. They can play such tunes as "Three Blind Mice"
and "Ode to Joy."With every demonstration, there's something to he learned.The
thumb tube exercise illustrates sound, one concept teachers learned last month through the
Empowering Science Teachers of Texas program, which instructs teachers using hands-on
experience. The program was held on campus.ESTT is preparing teachers for an updated
approach to science instruction, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skins curriculum, which
takes effect Sept. 1. Dr.
Judy Reinhartz, a science education professor here, received the National Science
Foundation and Eisenhower grants to sponsor 24 middle school teachers. Each will teach five others in the district. To integrate
technology into the classroom, the teachers also received graphing calculators, digital
cameras and scientific probes. |
|
The
teachers have been brushing up on their physics knowledge for three weeks.Sheryl
Schickedanz, a teacher at H.S. Stevens Middle School in Crowley, said many teachers dread
teaching physics, but the program prepared her for it."A learned that physics can be
fun, so it's going to be fun for my students too," she said.ESTT emphasizes reaming
using a five E lesson plan, which are evaluation, engagement, exploration, explanation and
elaboration. In the evaluation phase, a teacher determines the mastery level of students
using methods other than written tests.Schickedanz said she learned the value of doing
something rather than simply being told through the program. She said she had been given
constellation maps at planetariums but never knew how to use them.Physics assistant
professor Dr. James Gelb taught the ESTT team how to use their maps on a stargazing trip.
They identified M-13, a globular cluster where a new star was being born, and also tracked
the moon's phases."I never understood it until I did it," Schickedanz said.Peggy
Strybosch, a Bailey Junior High teacher and ESTT instructor, said that is the type of
attitude they hope to inspire in students."We're leading by modeling rather than
telling," she said. Schickedanz said science knowledge is crucial because technology
is assuming a dominant role in society."Leaders will have to know more about
science:' she said. "It is important because they are making laws and changing our
everyday lives." |
