Science+Technology+Integration

Internet Integration

 * Problem:** Students are bored or uninspired by the scientific lessons and presentations made during a regular classroom session and show little motivation to master the main scientific concepts.


 * Integration Strategy:** Students will be exposed to a variety of interactive websites that offer more imaginative and fun ways of concept mastery rather than rote repetition often found in science textbooks.


 * Relative Advantage:** Offers students a fun-filled more relaxed environment to reinforce key concepts learned in the classroom. Allows students to participate in simulations and models of scientific processes. Makes concepts easier to visualize and understand.


 * Expected Outcome:** Students will be motivated to learn additional concepts among those already covered in the classroom setting. They will be inspired to use the web as a tool to gain more information about the key terms covered in class.


 * Resources:**
 * [|Yucky Kid's Site: The Human Muscular System] Lesson based around the human muscular system with comparisons to the muscular systems of other animals.
 * [|The Visible Human Project] //The Visible Human Project// is the creation of anatomically detailed, three-dimensional representations of normal male and female human bodies.
 * [|Hubble Telescope: Black Holes] Astronomy lesson about the concept of Black Holes using NASA's Hubble Telescope for background information.
 * [|The Physics Classroom] //The Physics Classroom// is an online interactive tutorial of basic physics concepts.
 * [|The Wild Classroom] Compilation of biology videos and podcasts for use in the classroom setting.
 * eFloras Access to a series of flora, tree and moss databases for China, North America, Pakistan, and the Andes of Ecuador.

Tool Based Software

 * Problem:** Students need additional reinforcement in data collection and scientific inquiry.

Students will learn additional strategies for data collection and obtain information to support their theories or inquiries
 * Integration Strategy:**


 * Relative Advantage:** Data collection and analysis will be more manageable. Students will be able to communicated the results of their inquiries more accurately and clearly. Students will able to clearly analyze and present their data using graphing features in Excel.


 * Expected Outcome:** Students will gain useful skills in data gathering and presenting their results in graphical format. They will also see firsthand how spreadsheet software can be used to solve problems presented in the classroom.


 * Resources:**
 * [|Materials Science and Excel Spreadsheets] This is a collection of over two dozen interactive Excel Spreadsheets (aka - simulations) or Excelets for discovery learning in introductory materials science or to add a materials science component to other courses.
 * Using Spreadsheets in Thinking Science LessonsLesson plans in using Excel spreadsheets in General Science Classes
 * Chemistry Excelets A series of interactive Excel spreadsheets or Excelets for discovery learning in general chemistry has been produced. Students are engaged in numerous higher-order thinking and science process skills as they work through the Excelets and accompanying activities. All of this is done computationally in Excel using formulas.
 * Teaching Entry Level Geoscience Great site for geosciences and the use of Excel. Get example activities for beginner and moderate spreadsheet users.

Instructional Software

 * Problem:** Students are having difficulty grasping the key concepts of photosynthesis and need additional instruction.


 * Integration Strategy:** The use of game software will encourage students to further explore the concept of photosynthesis. Students will reinforce skills they have already learned about in the classroom and gain a greater understanding of these concepts through the additional practice and exploration.


 * Relative Advantage:** The use of game software will serve to motivate students and allow learning in a more competitive environment. Offers students a fun-filled more relaxed environment to reinforce key concepts learned in the classroom.


 * Expected Outcome:** Students will gain a better understanding of previously addressed scientific concepts through repetition in a more fun and relaxed learning environment. Students will also see a more true to life simulation that can not be taught through educational texts or slideshow presentations in the classroom.

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 * Resources:**
 * [|neoK12: Photosynthesis] //Photosynthesis// - Kids science videos, lessons, quizzes and games for K-12 grade school kids that make learning fun and interesting.
 * [|NOVA: Illuminating Photosynthesis] Explore how //photosynthesis// works by helping the process along in this game.
 * Science Up Close: Photosynthesis //Science Up Close//: //Photosynthesis// is a free interactive illustration of the process of photosynthesis for elementary age students.
 * Sunflower Learning: Photosynthesis Award-winning software that details the process of photosynthesis with colorful animations and demonstrations.
 * [|Teaching Photosynthesis with Rap] This science song is suitable for teaching photosynthesis to advanced elementary school students (5th grade and 6th grade), middle school, high school, and home school.

Productivity Software

 * Problem:** Students need additional hands-on practice with scientific data and analysis.


 * Integration Strategy:** Students will use calculator-based labs to gain more experience in data collection and analysis.


 * Relative Advantage:** Graphing calculators allow students actual hands-on practice in the areas of data collection and analysis. Students can additionally work collaboratively in groups to enter their data and discuss experiment and project outcomes.


 * Expected Outcome:** Students will learn how to analyze and present data using graphing calculators. They will also gain additional time for further discussion of the their data outcomes and the key skills being taught.


 * Resources:**
 * TI Middle Grades Variety of science activities from Texas Instruments that allows students in junior high to receive additional practice using a graphing calculator.
 * [|Dream Calc] //DreamCalc// is a Graphing Scientific Calculator for Windows. It comes in three editions, including a financial calculator supporting RPN.
 * [|TI Activities Exchange] Exchange page maintained by Texas Instruments that has a compendium of class activities for Math or Science using graphing calculators.