EXPS 420 Science Capstone

Description of the Project/Experience

To prepare us for the action research we began by doing discussions. We discussed the different types of learning models such as concrete models, pictorial models, mathematical models, verbal models, simulation models and symbolic models. After that we discussed effective learning strategies such as experiments, movement, discussions, field trips and games. In addition to that, we discussed the effectiveness of formative assessments and read an article on how to conduct an action research.

Completing the discussions prepared us for the action research. The first step of the action research was to pick a best practice. The best practices I decided to focus on was games. My question for the action research was "will the use of games increase students' understanding of the different types of weather and seasons? My action research was for Kindergarten and the concept was Earth Science. I began by finding two peered reviewed articles that support that games are an effective learning strategy. The next step doing research on the effectiveness of pre and post assessments. After doing the research, I made a pre and post assessment. The assessment will be first used to assess students' background knowledge and inform instruction. After the lesson, the assessment will be used to check for growth. The last step was creating the lesson plans. I used the 5E lesson plan model. My first lesson plan focused on the different weather conditions. The kindergarten students will play multiple games such as Charades, Weather Bingo, and Memory game. While the students are playing the game, I will go around and check if the games are an effective learning strategy. The second lesson focused on the seasons and seasonal clothing. In the second lesson plan students played online games such as Sid the Science Kid Weather Surprise, Dress for the Weather, and Weather Vocabulary game. The purpose of using both online and in person games is to check which ones are the most effective.

• Examples of Online Games

  • Sid the Science Kid Weather surprise https://pbskids.org/sid/games/weather-surprise.

  • Dress for the Weather https://www.abcya.com/games/dress_for_the_weather.

  • Weather vocabulary game https://www.mes-games.com/weather.php.

Importance of the Project/Experience

The action research is very important because it has taught me the importance of using research and data to support teaching strategies. It has taught me about the importance of using pre and post assessments. The pre-assessments allow the teacher to determine what students know before the lesson. It allows teachers to plan instruction based on the data that they have analyzed from the pre-assessment. The post-assessment allows teachers to see if there's growth. Overall, writing the lesson plans has showed me the importance of having students explore and do interactive activities. When students engaged in the lesson they learn the information easier and better.

Skills & Knowledge Gained or Demonstrated

There are many skills that I have learned. First, I learned how to find articles to support my teaching strategies. I learned about the different learning models which I can incorporate in my lessons. I also learned about different learning strategies such as experiments, movement, games, and graphic organizers that will increase my students' understanding of the science concepts. In addition to that, I learned how to create pre and post assessments and how to analyze them to see students' growth.

Tasks Completed

• Completed an action research

• Researched the effectiveness of best practices such as games.

• Researched the importance of pre and post assessments.

• Created pre and post assessments

• Wrote two lesson plans

• Attended two professional development NASA webinars

• Created plants and animals cells as a group

• Created a geologic time scale

• Completed models presentation

Lessons Learned

I learned a lot from EXPS 420. I learned about the different learning models which are concrete models, pictorial/graphic models, mathematical models, verbal models, simulations models and symbolic models. We got to look at pictures and decide which type of model they are and glued them to a graphic organizer. I also learned about the learning strategies that I can include in my lessons. Examples include experiments, movement, discussions, graphic organizers, technology and games. I also learned how to analyze assessments and determine what are students' strengths and needs. In addition to that, I learned how to create my own assessments. I got to apply everything I learned throughout the semester in my action research. I was able to prove that games are an effective learning strategy by finding studies and research that was done on games.