BrightSpot: 3-Yr Science Research Program

CT RHS: http://t.co/wtSv9qn 

Pavlicka NYT: http://tiny.cc/2su14  

5/15 Chat Takeaways:

w/ Guest: @GWoodJCG Jacob Greenwood, Dept. Chair, Science, Ridgefield HS, CT

Mentoring

- mentor aspect key - model real world roles, complexity of research

- need programs to connect mentors to students

- need to convince both admins & teachers that mentoring c/b more powerful than grades

Support/Structure, Viability

- scaffolding often lacking

- grant money for funding available; fortunately, this program is not expensive to run

- before: little opportunity for creative & authentic work; program proves HS can do it

- students are critical thinkers; simply need structure, encouragement

- skills-based research: allows any student to achieve success, participating in rigorous curriculum

- interest in topic = motivation to learn, fosters life long learning

STEM

- too much emphasis on content, not enough on skills

- models: critical thinking, research (real world)

- models: self-directed learning, problem-based learning (PBL), authentic learning

Connecting Stakeholders - Mentors, Students

- not enough HS students on Twitter yet

- FB scary connotations inside the school, inspite of #FB4ED forces

- Edmodo might be nice alternative