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    1 ESTEEM (NICE) NASA NIA CERSER UNH ECSU
NICE
Project List
Dr. Trina Spencer, Dr. Leslie Whiteman, Virginia State University
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2013 Update on Implementation of NASA NICE Project
 

SWWe modified some of the workshop tools and materials and incorporated them into BIOL427 Science Process Skills and ELED328 Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Grades during the Fall 2013 semester.  The twenty-one students taking BIOL 427 and ELED 328 were preservice teachers in their junior or senior year.  These preservice teachers are majoring in interdisciplinary studies and minoring in elementary education.

ELED328 and BIOL427 are designed to foster the development and understanding of the principles and major concepts and processes of science and instruction as they relate to the elementary and/or middle school.  BIOL427 emphasizes research-based best practices for teaching the content, processes, and skills of elementary school science, as defined by the Virginia Science Standards of Learning (SOL). ELED328 focuses on designing, planning and implementing effective instruction strategies that reflect the SOL objectives and provide a sound foundation for teaching content in the elementary grades.

During the Fall 2013 semester, the preservice teachers conducted field research in a safe manner for a biodiversity study. This study required the preservice teachers to measure and plots an area, to accurately use a compass to map this area, and to collect, identify and organize specimens SWaccording to kingdoms of life.  Preservice teachers also developed and presented inquiry-based lesson plans and problem-based learning (PBL) modules.  Some of the lesson plans and PBLs focused on climate change issues.  The NASA data modules presented in during the NASA NICE workshop were a powerful tool; however, the websites are not user friendly and/or easy to navigate for young children. Therefore, we used the MyNASAData (https://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/) for a modified and simpler version of modules more appropriate for elementary school children.

   
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