engaging students in research methods - The UTeach Institute

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010ENGAGING STUDENTSIN RESEARCH METHODS:THE CAL TEACH BERKELEYSUMMER INSTITUTEELISA STONE, NICCI NUNES &STEPHANIE MORGADO1

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Overview- Structure of Summer Institute program- Example of Hands-on Activity taught in course- Student work- Final comments & Discussion2

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Sequence of Cal Teach Berkeley Courses:• Step 1 & 2• Classroom Interactions• Knowing & Learning• Perspectives• Research Methods AND/OR Summer Institute• Project-Based Instruction• Apprentice Teaching3

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Goals for Summer InstituteCal Teach students willdevelop scientific and mathematic thinking skillsand view themselves as researcherslearn how to develop scientific and mathematicthinking in their own K-12 students whileteachingapply scientific and mathematic inquiry to theirown teaching practices4

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Summer Institute9 week summer internship Cal Teach students from all UC campuses 2010: 22 interns, 19 research mentors Conduct research 36 hours/week Scientific research labs Applied mathematics Science & math educational research 4 hour seminar connects research to K-12 teaching5

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010“Integrating Research Methods into K-12 Teaching”:3-Credit Summer Course Orientation & Final Poster Session Weekly Wednesday Seminars Other events: Writing Workshops Lab Visits Summer Research Talks Social gatherings6

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Coursework Emphasizes bothResearch & Teaching Research Proposal (draft & final) Lab Book Research Poster (draft & final) Portfolio: Identifying & Analyzing Curricular Materials California Content & Inquiry Standards Designing Lesson Plan K-12 Articulation Student Misconceptions Lesson Implementation & Reflection7

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Wednesday Activities FollowSimilar Pattern Journal reflections on weekly theme, followed byguided discussion Hands-on science & math activity Model strategies for integrating concepts and inquiryapproaches for the K-12 classroom Collaborative group work Debrief activity Build digital portfolio; peer guidance & feedback8

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Questions?9

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010“How do you tie a knot?” Activity*Modified by Ari Jamshidi after AVID lesson Writing Procedures Daily record-keeping in lab book Sharing protocols with others Formal writing: Research proposal, paper and poster Middle & High School Students need guidance Problem-solving Is it easier to start at the beginning of a problem andwork forwards, or start at the end and workbackwards? What are the advantages of solving problems usingdifferent starting points?10

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Instructions Write directions for tying an overhand knot on theleft hand side of your paper. Draw pictures that show how to tie the same knot onthe right hand side of your paper.11

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Instructions (cont) Exchange procedures with a partner. Tie a knot by following your partner’s writtenprocedure exactly. Explain to your partner how toimprove your procedure. Revise your procedure according to your partner’sfeedback.12

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Tying a Knot: Tips for Procedures In what ways did your procedures help you oryour partner tie a knot? What did you find you needed to add inyour procedures? What are the most important components ofa procedure?13

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Writing a Good Procedure Includes:1) Number your list of steps.2) Organize the steps in order.3) Use the smallest steps possible.4) Use commands.5) Tell the reader to measure and record data when needed.6) Explain how to measure the data.7) Use the correct units when making measurements.8) Don’t use extra words or steps.9) Draw the procedures using pictures, diagrams, or flowcharts tomake them clear.10) List ALL steps no matter how small. Leaving out steps leads toconfusion.11) Describe every piece of equipment listed in the materials.12) Tell when you have to repeat steps and how many times.14

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Add Challenges to Knot-TyingTie a knot in the string without ever letting go ofeither end of the stringLay the string on a flat surfacePick up each end with your thumb and forefingerWithout releasing the string, tie an overhand knotUnlink two partners who are linked togetherwithout breaking the stringThe string is tied around each partner’s wrist asdemonstrated15

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Problem-solving Is it easier to start at the end of a problemand work backwards, or start at thebeginning and work forwards? What are the advantages of solvingproblems using different starting points?16

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010A Student’s Experience: Stephanie Research & poster Digital Portfolio Summer Experience in General Plans to do research in subsequent summers17

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Summer Institute Outcomes Students are overwhelmingly positive abouttheir experience: Engage in an authentic research project Make connections to their future K-12 teaching Link their research to inquiry-based instruction Build community with other pre-service teachers18

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Developing scientific and mathematic thinkingfor future K-12 teachingJournal reflections The biggest impact on me this summer is learningdifferent ways to take science into my math classroom. The most exciting thing is that I was able to come upwith a lesson plan for students to learn all theamazing things I learned this summer.19

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010SApplying scientific and mathematic inquiry tofuture teaching practicesJournal reflections This has been one of the most important things I will betaking away from this internship: that the thinking process asa scientific researcher and the thinking process as a scienceteacher can be meshed together and beneficial to oneanother. Before I used to conduct a very traditional lesson, but now Iam planning a very hands-on lesson with formativeassessments.20

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Being able to converse with my peers about theimportance of science education, and also talk aboutwhat we hope to achieve as teachers has led me tobecome a much more active and aware pre-serviceteacher… And I know that I want to be involved inresearch in future summers.21

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Benefits & Challenges:Summer Research vs Research Methods course Full-time research project Depth of research question One-on-one scientist mentor Focus on K-12 teaching Research Community Students develop their own question Focus on statistical and mathematical modeling Time investment restricted to one semester22

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Research & EvaluationHave Cal Teach studentsdeveloped scientific and mathematic thinkingskills and view themselves as researchers?learned how to develop scientific andmathematic thinking in their own K-12 studentswhile teaching?applied scientific and mathematic inquiry totheir own teaching practices?23

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Research & Evaluation:Data Collected Summer Institute Pre/Post Survey Pre/Post Concept Map: Being a Researcher Journal Reflections Research Poster Digital Portfolio:Identifying & Analyzing Curricular Materials24

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Summer Research Conference:Spring 2011Let us know if you are interested:Elisa: emstone@berkeley.eduEmily: evbergen@berkeley.edu25

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010AcknowledgementsCal Teach• Cal Teach Staff & Students• UC Berkeley Research Mentors• Cal Teach Research & Evaluation TeamPartners• Center for Science Education& Outreach staff & LawrenceBerkeley National Laboratory mentors• UTeach InstituteFunders• S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation• Simons Foundation• National Math & Science Initiative• University of California Office of the President26

Elisa Stone, Nicci Nunes,Stephanie MorgadoUTeach Institute - NMSI Annual ConferenceAustin, TX / May 25 – 27, 2010Group Discussion Please share your strategies for guiding students todevelop scientific and mathematic research skillsand view themselves as researchers. What hands-on activities, like the Rope Activity, doyou find useful in reinforcing research skills withpre-service teachers and K-12 students? What would the benefits and/or challenges ofsummer research be at your institution?27