Gamification is a fancy word to describe the use of many different types of classroom activities. But what is it really? At its core, gamification in education refers to the use of game-like elements in non-game contexts to enhance learning. Teachers have always strived to find new ways to engage students, but how can teachers ensure that gamesContinue reading “Gamification Ups and Downs”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Beauty of the Periodic Table
I’ve always been enamored of the periodic table. Its logical organization supports understanding of the atomic structure and chemical reactivity of the elements based on where they appear in the table. The periodic table that is commonly used today is based on the original table created by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869. Mendeleev was the firstContinue reading “The Beauty of the Periodic Table”
The Power of Explanation: More than Just Getting the Right Answer
In high school physics, where much of the work involves manipulating formulas and plugging in the appropriate values, students often focus on just trying to get the right answer. This is driven by their desire to complete their assignments as quickly as possible while achieving high grades. Little thought may go into the meaning behindContinue reading “The Power of Explanation: More than Just Getting the Right Answer”
Why I Did It: Or How I Taught Myself How to Teach
Many years ago, too many to count, I started a YouTube channel, Step by Step Science. More than 550 videos and 200K plus subscribers later, I still remember the impulse for starting the whole thing…. Although at some point I had probably learned about the workings of concave and convex lenses and mirrors, it wasContinue reading “Why I Did It: Or How I Taught Myself How to Teach”
Global Connections at the ASE Conference
Instead of going straight back to teaching after the holidays, I kicked off the New Year with two presentations at the United Kingdom’s Association for Science Education (ASE) annual conference. The ASE conference is Europe’s largest event for science educators, attracting participants from all over Europe and beyond. Held at the University of Northampton, theContinue reading “Global Connections at the ASE Conference”
Where’s Your Next Science Field Trip?
Back-to-school means thinking about time spent both inside and outside of the classroom with your students. What field trips will best bring science to life for those easily distracted kids with short attention spans? Will all the time and energy that goes into planning these excursions pay off in terms of an enriching and engagingContinue reading “Where’s Your Next Science Field Trip?”
ChatGPT and Science Education
Me: Does ChatGPT enhance or undermine science education? ChatGPT: I can be a helpful tool for science education, as I can provide accurate and relevant information on a wide range of scientific topics. However, it’s important to note that science education is not just about acquiring information; it’s also about developing critical thinking skills andContinue reading “ChatGPT and Science Education”
Lasagne or Spaghetti? The Pasta Cantilever Challenge
Introducing engineering concepts into the high school physics classroom can help students grasp the relevance of scientific knowledge to the real world. I love to do this through project-based assignments in which students have to apply their knowledge through design-based activities. And what better way to keep students engaged and on their toes than toContinue reading “Lasagne or Spaghetti? The Pasta Cantilever Challenge”
The Mu of the Shoe
Going out to a holiday party? You will probably want to wear your fanciest shoes. Getting ready for a basketball game? To show off your best moves you’ll need to have a lot of friction out on the court. But which shoes will serve you best? To answer this question, you need to know….“the muContinue reading “The Mu of the Shoe”
How Powerful Are You?
Active learning can literally mean getting your students up and out of their seats and engaged in physical activity. When teaching energy, work and power, there’s no better way to drive home the concepts than to get the students outside the classroom to practice what they’ve learned. That’s why I assign them an activity whereContinue reading “How Powerful Are You?”
Step by Step Science 