We know there is an urgent need to recruit more students into STEM fields, starting with STEM exposure at a young age. As part of our broader impacts, we proposed working with third graders in the JJK Academy program in East Saint Louis, IL, and a public school in Bloomington, IN. This year we couldn’t connect the two third-grade classes. However, we developed a curriculum and worked separately at JJK Academy.
This curriculum (see below) aims to expose students to the scientific method using FastPlants. It includes three 1-hour, beginner lessons for which students need no previous knowledge. Some plant knowledge would help, like plants grow from seeds and need water and light, but these topics are discussed in any case.
This curriculum (see below) aims to expose students to the scientific method using FastPlants. It includes three 1-hour, beginner lessons for which students need no previous knowledge. Some plant knowledge would help, like plants grow from seeds and need water and light, but these topics are discussed in any case.
- The first lesson covers (i) what a scientist is (including drawing a scientist pre-assessment), (ii) an intro to the scientific method and hypotheses, and (iii) planting seeds.
- Lesson two includes (i) plant observations and measurements and (ii) a lesson on seed diversity.
- Lesson three includes (i) plant observations and measurements, (ii) graphing results, (iii) interpreting results and drawing conclusions, and (iv) a post-assessment of drawing a scientist.
- Lesson three includes can be repeated a week after to reinforce the process.