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Page Keeley Misconception Probes

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Scientific misconceptions are everywhere. Most people believe, for instance, that the mass of a growing tree comes almost entirely from the ground and water. Likewise, many people believe that the increase in temperature and length of the daylight that we have in the summer is due to the relative distance that the Earth is from the Sun . (We are further away from the Sun during the summer than we are in the winter!) These are profound misconceptions that people have regarding common phenomena that they encounter daily. Science misconceptions are tenacious things. These flawed understandings are common around concepts such as seasons, light and energy, gravity, and chemical reactions. Your students will come to you with many of these misconceptions. Why do students have misconceptions in the first place? Watch the NSTA video of Page Keeley to gain insight into why students initially develop misconceptions and how to effectively address them in a science lesson. Page Keeley
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Upcoming Science Teacher Events

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CAST is in our rearview window and the winter break is around the bend. Are there other events that science teachers can attend to increase their skill set as professional educators? Absolutely. And many provide meals during the training and free classroom resources that can help you teach your students. Monday Night STARS Event Southwest Medical STARS program provides professional development and resources that can support life science, biology, and microbiology teachers. All events and resources are free for teachers. Meals are also provided!  Saturday Symposium:   Biology Labs Made Easy, December 7, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Meeting Room K2.610 2020 Teacher CRISPER, February 1, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Meeting Room K2.610 Women In Science and Medicine, February 29, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Lecture Hall, D1.700 Monday Night Events: How We Balance Cholesterol, January 6, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM, Lecture Hall D1.502 So Many Ways to Die!, April 6, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM, Lecture Hall, D1.502 Re
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Using Concept Task Cards

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Using Concept Task Cards for Science Concept task cards develop the habit of mind for teachers and students that science topics transcend multiple concepts.  Oftentimes, we focus on the topic of learning and may miss opportunities to squeeze more learning out of a lesson from a conceptual viewpoint. The overarching themes addressed include Models, Systems & Interactions, Change, Energy, and Patterns & Properties.   Consider a single topic you teach?   How many concepts might be related?   Concept Task Cards PK-8 5 Ideas for Using Concept Task Cards 1.  Pass the ring of cards from student to student.  Each student makes a connection between the topic and the concept without repetition. 2.  Write a summary of our learning today use 3 words from the word wall and one connection to a concept task card. 3.  In a small group, determine which concept task card best fits today's topic and be ready to justify your decision.  Share out across each group and de
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D/FW Mini-CAST in HEB is February 8, 2020

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D/FW Metroplex Mini-CAST is February 8, 2020 in HEB ISD at the Pat May Center and adjacent Technology Center. There will be traditional sessions that last about an hour, lunch, vendors displaying materials and providing giveaways, and door prizes a-plenty! But this year's super-bonus feature is the keynote address by * the * Page Keeley! If you are looking to expand your science leadership skills, consider presenting a session! This conference is local and smaller than a state conference, so it is a safe space to try out presenting a session. So, if you have some great ideas or innovative practices you have used in your science classroom that you would like other folks to know about, visit  the website to submit a proposal! Ideas for all grade levels and courses can be submitted. The deadline for proposal submission is December 6, 2019. Be on the watch for information regarding registration. We hope to have a large group from GCISD at  D/FW Metroplex Mini-CAST this spring se
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Location: Grapevine, TX 76051, USA
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Make plans to attend Mini-CAST D/FW!

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STAT presents Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching, or CAST, was held in November in Fort Worth. If you did not have the opportunity to attend that multi-day conference, D/FW Metroplex Mini-CAST may be an option for you. D/FW Metroplex Mini-CAST is March 2, 2019 in Allen ISD at the new Lowery Freshman Center. The building is beautiful and will accommodate some new and interesting ways of learning and concurrent sessions. There will still most definitely be traditional sessions that last about an hour, lunch, vendors displaying their fabulous materials, a keynote address by the engaging Amoeba Sisters, and plenty freebies and door prizes! Have you ever considered presenting a session? This conference is local and relatively small, so it is a safe space to try out presenting a session. So, if you have some great ideas or innovative practices you have used in your science classroom that you would like other folks to know about, visit www.dfwminicast.org/proposals.h
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GCISD Education Foundation Supports Science Teachers

Thank you to the GCISD Education Foundation for their generous support of science teachers through grants awarded to the following science teachers: Josh Bergerson, Erin Smith, Michael Nottingham, Nathan Cooper and Patton Garay of GHS for Collecting and Analyzing Real-Time Data in Chemistry. Julee Sanders-Diehl, Maddie Backstrom, Courtney Bingham, J.J. Burton, and Andy Jacobs of GHS for 21st Century Biology:  Part 2 Sonya Loughran, Jessica Bell, Jason Crump, Cortney Kays, Michael Turner, Tanner Hannah, Miral Kawasmi, and Leslie Singles of CHHS for Spectrometer Upgrade Steven Rains of iUniversity Prep for Pivot Interactives Lab Improvement Thank you, teachers, for your dedication to your students.  Congratulations on being awarded grants.  Thanks again to the GCISD Education Foundation for their continued support of teaching and learning science.
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Student Voice

Are you looking for additional ways to garner student voice in your classroom?   Check out these collaborative structures that allow you to leverage student voice without using a survey. Learn more about Student Voice
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