Today, we’ve started out the day by starting the first of our teacher pedagogy settings. It reminds me of the technology class that I took in graduate school with Ruth-Ellen Verock-O’laughlin. We spent the morning talking about different types of technology tools, and demonstrating how we use technology in each of our classrooms. It was awesome to learn about some tools that I have never heard of, including Turn It In plagiarism checker, Socrative Student Response System (which is sort of like Poll Everywhere that I use), and Glogster, an online poster making website.
There are guiding questions that we have now as we try to finish up this session blogging about different responsibilities. I didn’t realize we only have to do a blog post a week, but I’ll keep posting daily so the entire experience is well document.
The first question is to describe my process of assimilation into the laboratory. I have had a fantastic week getting to know Fjodor, my lab partner, as well as Jonah and Pete, the undergraduates that work in the lab. It’s also been great working with Project Manager Nate to go over the entire program.
The next question about the environment of the laboratory. I like to think that our laboratory is very laid back, but in a productive way. We have been receiving our equipment, so it’s always fun to see new cardboard boxes appear on our desk every day. Really, I’m having a fantastic time.
I am working (as you know) with BUSAT to develop a series of laboratories for middle and high school students, incorporating science and technology with engineering. My partner is Fjodor, who works at Somerville High School. We’re working with a bunch of Undergraduate and Graduate students to accomplish our ultimate goal of testing equipment with a balloon launch from Mt. Greylock.
The essence of our research is how to teach students about near space experiences. One facet is teaching the students about near space through a variety of labs, and the second facet is making meaningful labs that can be used for a variety of settings.
We haven’t really run into many challenges during week 1. I had expected that it would be difficult to jump into the program, but Fjodor and I have been doing a fantastic job, and we’re ahead of the timeline that we had established at the beginning of the program.
We’re planning on heading to lunch, and continuing work this afternoon on finishing up two projects- hacking our cameras with CHDK, so that they will take pictures every 30 seconds, and finishing up our supply inventory so we can place the order.
Tonight I go back to Western Massachusetts- it’ll be nice to get out of the city for a break, as much as I love it here!