It's summer break, which means I finally have time to sit down and post!
Back in March I went to the National Science Teacher Association Convention in Chicago with my coworkers. Here I am with our Chemistry/Physics teacher on Pi Day, I'm in red :)
As expected, the conference was great. I was able to attend the following sessions:
- Autopsy: Forensic Dissection
- Solving the Mystery of STEM using Forensics
- Extinctions: Past and Present
- Bullet Holes: Using STEM
- Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Dissections
- Dissections Done Differently
- Body of Evidence: Forensic Science Mystery
- Forensic Entomology
- Zoo Genetics
- Going Viral: From Proteins to Pandemics
- Forensic DNA Activities with K'NEX
- Evolving Curiosity in the Animal Kingdom
From that list, there were a few awesome presentations and a few duds. A few of my favorites...
Autopsy: Forensic Dissection was really neat. We got to do a quick version of a fetal pig dissection, but instead of cutting it normally, we went through the process of everything from the Y-shaped incision, removing the organ block, then stitching it back up after. I was so impressed by this I came home, ordered the Caroline Kit, and did this activity with my Forensic Science students. They loved it! It took a while, over a week of class time, but they learned so much. That chapter test had the highest test scores of the whole year!
In fact, all of the dissections courses were interesting. I loved seeing how teachers link dissections together. I made baby steps toward that in my Biology classes by having students make Venn Diagrams comparing our invertebrate dissection (grasshopper) with the vertebrate dissection (perch). I gave them no prompting to this, it was just assigned after both dissections, and they did a really good job comparing and contrasting! Something so simple I never would have thought to have done before. Next year I am teaching Zoology and I can't wait to make more connections between animal groups.
Zoo Genetics was also SUPER awesome! If you teach genetics at all, I highly suggest going to http://www.xy-zoo.com/index.html and downloading the entire curriculum. There are great lesson plans, with real-life data collected in zoos, that will peak student interest!
Lastly, Evolving Curiosity in the Animal Kingdom was another great presentation. It was exactly what I needed to get me inspired for teaching Zoology next year. The staff from http://shapeoflife.org/ presented a lot of their free online materials and brought in a teacher to show us how he uses their tools. We did a great lab with classification of shells, so now I am on the hunt for some unique shells so I can do something like it with my zoology classes this upcoming school year. I take donations if you have some shells you are looking to get rid of ;)
There were also a lot of great booths at the conferences. I came home with all kinds of free materials, including a hornworm insect caterpillar! It was so neat seeing him grow! I'm hoping to order some for my zoology students next year to have them track their growth and metamorphosis.
Speaking of, I applied for a big grant to get supplies and virtual dissection computer programs for Zoology. I am crossing my fingers, praying, and hoping so badly that it gets selected to be funded. Without it, I'm not sure what I will do. Please think positive thoughts for me that it gets approved!
Well, my dog has a vet appointment soon so I better get ready for that! Have a great summer!!
