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Notes from the Field
Technology Enhances the FOSS Science Program in the
Greece Central School District, Rochester, New York
By Lisa Buckshaw, Director of Math and Science, and Aimee Lyon, Elementary Science Mentor Teacher,
Greece Central School District, Greece, New York
Greece, the eighth largest school
district in New York State,
adopted FOSS in 2002 because it
provided them with a science program
that was matched to their standards and
promoted instructional practices that
were consistent with their district goals.
Along with the commitment to improve
science education, the district also has
a commitment to provide technology
resources and has encouraged teachers
to embed technology into the curriculum.
At the elementary level, there is a
wired computer lab, capable of serving
an entire class; a wireless, mobile
computer lab; five student computers
in each grade 1–5 classroom; and three
student computers in each pre–K and
kindergarten classroom. In addition,
all 12 elementary schools have cordless
microscopes and a flex cam camera. Classrooms are outfitted with an
Imagination Station that includes a
monitor connected to a computer
system that can project Internet sites,
presentations, etc.
The teachers have been implementing
FOSS and finding creative and interesting
ways to enhance the investigations
through technology. And the results of
this emphasis on science and technology
show increased student achievement
in both science and reading. In 2003–04,
student performance on the fourth-grade
New York state science test increased
by 7% compared to the previous year,
with 44% of the fourth-grade students
exceeding the state standard in science.
There were also significant gains by
fourth graders in English language arts
scores, which may be a result of the
science/technology program.
At each grade level, teachers have
enhanced the FOSS science modules
by integrating the technology resources
available to them with the science
investigations. We have highlighted
some examples.
- Erin McElheran, a kindergarten
teacher at Pine Brook Elementary School, integrated technology into
the Animals Two By Two Module.
Her class observed and sorted pill
bugs and sow bugs by using two
different tools. While half the class
observed with hand lenses and
recorded observations, the other
half of the class used the flex cam
to see if they could uncover more
details. The groups then switched
to see if either tool left out important
details in their observations. This
helped reinforce how tools are
helpful to scientists in different ways.
- Theresa Kermis, a first-grade teacher
at English Village Elementary School,
found a unique way to integrate
technology to enhance students’
retention during the Balance and
Motion Module. She walked around
and took pictures with a digital camera
while her students investigated
balancing the crayfish with
clothespins. She put these pictures
into a PowerPoint slide show. The
next day, they recounted their
experiments by flipping through the
slide show. Ms. Kermis used the
drawing tool to circle and highlight
ideas on the slides as students
discussed and explained what they
did. The kids loved it so much that she taught them how to use the
drawing tool so they could point
out the information as they were
sharing what they remembered.
This set up the students for success
by reviewing previous learning
before engaging in a new lesson.
- Maryrita Maier, a second-grade
teacher at Parkland Elementary School,
found that technology made her Insects Module come to life. Her
students used the flex cam to observe
the different insects. The flex cam
allowed students to see greater
detail than they could with a hand
lens alone. The students were able
to critically analyze changes in the
insects as they progressed through
their life cycle stages, and their
observation records were flooded
with detail. At each stage of
metamorphosis, they took pictures
with the Intel® Play™ scope and
printed them to create a timeline.
The students then wrote descriptions
to narrate the metamorphosis
process. Mrs. Maier worked with
small groups to show them how
the technology worked.
- Judy Davis, a third-grade teacher
at Buckman Heights Elementary,
used technology during the Earth
Materials Module. In Investigation 1,
Part 3, students observed the results
of evaporation. Mrs. Davis had the
students start crystal observations
with a hand lens. Then she used the
flex cam to magnify the crystals on
the TV monitor. She placed samples
of the crystals on black construction
paper for better visibility. It was
amazing how much more detail
students were able to see. They then
drew their observations, compared
their results with the two tools, and
discussed what they saw and how
it got there. Finally, they compared
their observations to a key to try to
identify the crystals.
- Heather Wolbert, an administrative
intern at English Village and Lakeshore
Elementary Schools, found ways to
integrate technology into the earth
science modules. While teaching the Water Module, her students made
slides of water on different materials
to observe surface tension. They used
microscopes to compare results. Her
students used the flex cam to observe
water absorbency, surface tension,
evaporation, and condensation. For
absorbency, the class observed how
different paper towels absorbed water.
They moved the flex cam to get a
close-up, side view of the surface
tension of water on a penny. Then,
using a light as a heat source, they
observed the water evaporating from
a penny. For condensation, the class
chilled a water bottle and used the flex cam to observe evidence of
condensation. Ms. Wolbert also had
her students search the Internet for
pictures of water in different states
of the water cycle. They put these
images into a graphic organizer
program called Inspiration™ and
created their own water cycle
posters.
PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY EGGS UNDER MAGNIFICATION.
For more information about this
article, contact:
Lisa C. Buckshaw
Assistant Superintendent of Student
Learning and Accountability
Greece Central School District
P.O. Box 300 N.
Greece, NY 14515-0300
585.966.2400
Lisa.Buckshaw@greece.k12.ny.us
http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/instruction/science
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