Technology, Innovation and Technology, Innovation and Project-BasedProject-Based

Learning in Science at St. Learning in Science at St. Gregory SchoolGregory School

Scott Morris, Dennis ConnerScott Morris, Dennis Conner

Presentation PlanPresentation Plan

Brief HistoryBrief History

Significant Curricular ChangesSignificant Curricular Changes

Example of Technology Example of Technology

Project LearningProject Learning

5 years ago…5 years ago…

TodayToday

Environmental Systems: Urban Environmental Systems: Urban HydrologyHydrology

Students do field based surveying of Students do field based surveying of stream channel geometrystream channel geometry

Use Google Earth to expand scale to cityUse Google Earth to expand scale to city

““Travel” to Tucson Travel” to Tucson

Establish cross-sections Establish cross-sections

Use path and ruler tools to measureUse path and ruler tools to measure

Enter data into Excel spreadsheetEnter data into Excel spreadsheet

Look at patterns of channel geometry and Look at patterns of channel geometry and slopeslope

Sample Excel dataSample Excel data

Inspect relationshipsInspect relationships

Stream Geometryy = 0.0115x + 125.25

R2 = 0.6117

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distance D/S (ft)

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TV Creek

Linear (TV Creek)

Traditional Chemistry CalculationsTraditional Chemistry Calculations

1) 1) HCO31-(aq) + H+(aq) HCO31-(aq) + H+(aq) H2O(l) + CO2(g) H2O(l) + CO2(g)Hrxn = Hrxn = Hfo (products) - Hfo (products) - Hfo (reactants)Hfo (reactants)Hrxn = (-285 kJ/mol + -395 kJ/mol) - (Hrxn = (-285 kJ/mol + -395 kJ/mol) - (-691-691 kJ/mol) kJ/mol)Hrxn = 11 kJ/molHrxn = 11 kJ/mol

2) 2) NaHCO3(s) + H+(aq) NaHCO3(s) + H+(aq) Na+(aq) + H2O(aq) + CO2(g) Na+(aq) + H2O(aq) + CO2(g)Hrxn = Hrxn = Hfo (products) - Hfo (products) - Hfo (reactants)Hfo (reactants)Hrxn = (-285 kJ/mol + -395 kJ/mol) - (Hrxn = (-285 kJ/mol + -395 kJ/mol) - (-948-948 kJ/mol) kJ/mol)Hrxn = 268 kJ/molHrxn = 268 kJ/mol

Chemistry: Reaction InsightChemistry: Reaction Insight

Monitor reactions with probesMonitor reactions with probes

Example: NaHCOExample: NaHCO33 + CH + CH33COOHCOOH

Watch changes in pH and temperatureWatch changes in pH and temperature

pHpH

TemperatureTemperature

The Project-Based The Project-Based Learning Laboratory:Learning Laboratory:

Technology Innovations: Design Technology Innovations: Design & Build& Build

AssumptionsAssumptionsChoosing individual projects would provide motivation.Choosing individual projects would provide motivation.There are no grades. It is Pass / Fail.There are no grades. It is Pass / Fail.

Choosing individual projects will force each person to become Choosing individual projects will force each person to become an expert in something unique.an expert in something unique.Students will become teachers.Students will become teachers.The teacher is no longer the expert, they are just a guide.The teacher is no longer the expert, they are just a guide.

Students will share and help others if asked.Students will share and help others if asked.In class, students teach other specific skills.In class, students teach other specific skills.Students post blogs as how-to guides on their project.Students post blogs as how-to guides on their project.

Learning is best facilitated as teachers and doers instead of Learning is best facilitated as teachers and doers instead of listeners.listeners.

Trebuchet Video