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- Creators: Division of Teacher Preparation
Description
This creative project created and implemented a seven-day STEM curriculum that ultimately encouraged engagement in STEM subjects in students ages 5 through 11. The activities were incorporated into Arizona State University's Kids' Camp over the summer of 2017, every Tuesday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. with each activity running for roughly 40 minutes. The lesson plans were created to cover a myriad of scientific topics to account for varied student interest. The topics covered were plant biology, aerodynamics, zoology, geology, chemistry, physics, and astronomy. Each lesson was scaffolded to match the learning needs of the three age groups (5-6 year olds, 7-8 year olds, 9-11 year olds) and to encourage engagement. "Engagement" was measured by pre- and post-activity surveys approved by IRB. The surveys were in the form of statements where the children would totally agree, agree, be undecided, disagree, or totally disagree with it. To more accurately test engagement, the smiley face Likert scale was incorporated with the answer choices. After implementation of the intervention, two-tailed paired t-tests showed that student engagement significantly increased for the two lesson plans of Aerodynamics and Chemistry.
ContributorsHunt, Allison Rene (Co-author) / Belko, Sara (Co-author) / Merritt, Eileen (Thesis director) / Ankeny, Casey (Committee member) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / Harrington Bioengineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
Description
Cancer is a disease that has no bias based on race, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, or religious beliefs. Millions upon millions of people are affected every day by this disease in many different ways. In order to show support and raise funds for these people to help with treatment costs, housing, and much more American Cancer Society created and event called Relay for Life. Relay for Life is an event that many people may describe as a walk-a-thon fundraiser, but to those who have had a personal experience with cancer they understand that Relay is much more. Relay for Life is more than a fundraiser; it is an event that brings hope, love, and care into a community. Many people across the country show up to a Relay event to hear the success stories of those who are in remission, show support for their family and friends who are still fighting, and simply volunteer in order to further remember those that they lost to cancer.
The impacts that Relay for Life supplies go beyond monetary value and branch into the world of emotional and mental value. The stories that you hear from cancer patients, caregivers, survivors, friends, and family all show the appreciation for this event even in the smallest of communities. Looking at the Relay for Life website you can see the thousands of submissions detailing exactly why that individual participates in this event. You can read stories of sorrow, drive, friendships that have formed, and hope that has sprouted because of Relay for Life. An event such as this that celebrates the fight and works to give the world more birthdays truly empowers its participants to make a difference and make a connection with each other.
In this project, I set out to reveal the importance of Relay for Life that can be seen and heard through everyone who participates across the nation. It is important to take both personal experience and monetary value into account when looking at how Relay has had a positive impact on the lives of those affected by cancer, but when looking at the broad picture it becomes obvious how this event means more than money.
The impacts that Relay for Life supplies go beyond monetary value and branch into the world of emotional and mental value. The stories that you hear from cancer patients, caregivers, survivors, friends, and family all show the appreciation for this event even in the smallest of communities. Looking at the Relay for Life website you can see the thousands of submissions detailing exactly why that individual participates in this event. You can read stories of sorrow, drive, friendships that have formed, and hope that has sprouted because of Relay for Life. An event such as this that celebrates the fight and works to give the world more birthdays truly empowers its participants to make a difference and make a connection with each other.
In this project, I set out to reveal the importance of Relay for Life that can be seen and heard through everyone who participates across the nation. It is important to take both personal experience and monetary value into account when looking at how Relay has had a positive impact on the lives of those affected by cancer, but when looking at the broad picture it becomes obvious how this event means more than money.
ContributorsTrisko, Rebecca Lynn (Author) / Roen, Duane (Thesis director) / Wales, Anna (Committee member) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
This project examined the need for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities within a specific modality (centers) and their potential influence on elementary students with a particular emphasis on gender. STEM is an interdisciplinary curriculum that seeks to seamlessly incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math. Due to the increasing demand for STEM professions and proficiency within each aspect, the education system and individual educators require lessons and modalities that motivate learning in each of these areas. Administrators and teachers need creative ways to provide effective STEM implementation. Currently, the education system as a whole lacks creative and motivating material for these four domains. Not only this, but there has been a misunderstanding in regard to what effective STEM implementation entails, as well as a dearth of classroom ready lessons for educators. As a result, this thesis project developed a way to implement STEM through the use of learning centers. Learning centers are defined as designated areas within a classroom that allow easy access to a variety of learning materials. Within these centers are activities that reinforce concepts by using inquiry-based learning. Learning centers are effective in developing additional concepts or providing students with a greater breadth of knowledge on a concept. This thesis project developed three STEM learning center activity boxes and two STEM learning center outlines. Creating effective STEM learning centers and outlines was a multistep process. The first step was to develop a 3E lesson plan for each activity. Once the lesson plans were revised and complete, the creation of the three activity boxes was next. To create the activity boxes, all the required materials and worksheets were gathered and printed. From there, the next step was to implement the learning centers in a classroom to observe the results and propose any modifications. Afterwards, a reflection detailing the results and modifications was made. In the end, the goal of this project was to develop easily implemented STEM activities for my future classroom. Coming up with a creative way to get kids curious and excited about STEM is key in building STEM awareness. Not only did my project create STEM activities I can implement, but it also allowed me the opportunity to share my activities with other teachers. As a result, influencing the spread of STEM amongst future and current teachers.
ContributorsSchott, Nicole Elizabeth (Author) / Walters, Molina (Thesis director) / Oliver, Jill (Committee member) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
STEM has increasingly become a buzz word in the world of education. According to Briener, et. al. (2012), the most common perspective of STEM education is teaching the integrated disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as "one cohesive entity" instead of as separate subjects (p. 5). Prioritizing a STEM focus is a tactic many schools are beginning to adapt and one the United States government is financially backing, contributing significantly to the popularity of the movement (Briener, et.al., 2012). Across the nation, schools are making strides towards incorporating more STEM activities, and many school districts are designating entire schools as STEM schools. These STEM schools distinguish themselves with consistent commitment and attention to aspects of the STEM fields within instruction, including research opportunities for students, 21st Century skills, and a variety of learning environments. Bridges Elementary is one such identified STEM school that exemplifies these criteria, amongst others, setting a precedent for STEM schools to come.
ContributorsFefolt, Molly Lynn (Author) / Walters, Molina (Thesis director) / Oliver, Jill (Committee member) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
In recent education trends, an emphasis has been placed on teaching students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. Many researchers have advocated for integrating Arts education as well, changing STEM education to STEAM (STEM + Arts) education. This paper describes an original 8th Grade physics curriculum integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). The curriculum was designed to teach core science concepts through inquiry and dance activities. The curriculum uses the 5E inquiry format, specifically using dance and movement activities to elaborate on the learned science content. The unit curriculum is designed to be implemented in an 8th Grade science classroom based on best practices in Science Instruction and Dance Education. The curriculum was not implemented as a research study this year, but is designed to support research in the future. The curriculum was however presented to Term 6 Pre-service Teachers in Mary Lou Fulton Teacher's College at ASU, whom evaluated the effectiveness of the lessons and offered feedback. This paper includes a review of current literature on STEAM education and dance integration, rationale for the curriculum's 5E Format and dance integration, the entire physics unit curriculum in 5E format, Pre-service Teacher feedback, and implications for a future research study with the unit curriculum.
ContributorsHarris, Carson Donald (Author) / Chen, Ying-Chih (Thesis director) / Atkinson, Laura (Committee member) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Your Heart Is In Your Brain, Not Your Chest, is a 16-piece book of poetry that I have written as my undergraduate honors thesis at Arizona State University-Barrett, the Honors College. The work examines events that have transpired in my life, and thus, the different speakers of each poem navigate varying topics from relationships, to toxic masculinity, to heartbreak, to friendship, to solitude, to love, to acceptance, and more. I am a Secondary Education (English) major, so the motive behind this creative thesis was to teach myself to experience and assume vulnerability by means of poetry, which would allow me to better teach poetry in my future classroom(s). Specifically, it is imperative that I be able to express my emotions and thoughts through writing, so that I will be able to successfully teach my students how to express themselves through their writing as well. Not only can poetry be artistically liberating, but it also holds intellectual value that cannot be taught or found in other subject areas. Poetry takes time, patience, creativity, and discipline all at once. Gaining these qualities through writing poetry will translate not only into strengthening students' writing, but also into real-world application. These skills have proven necessary throughout my life and through writing poetry, I have been able to hone in and finely tune them. I intend to take what I have learned and transfer my knowledge to my students in order for them to be successful in their writing, in their education, and in their lives as well. There's a perception in the world that poetry is hostile to readers and a dead art, but I want to be the teacher that helps solve this issue and does not perpetuate that perception. My main goal for this book of poetry was to elucidate how writing personal poems can serve as a therapeutic, cathartic, reflective, and thought-provoking means of expression that leads to a work of art. Through this work, I will be able to provide my students with a teacher who can properly instruct them on how to express themselves through poetry and writing as well as turn their work into pieces of art along the way. I will also be able to introduce them to poetry that they might not find on their own and that speaks to the world they live in.
ContributorsDifelice, Morgan Casey (Author) / Ball, Sally (Thesis director) / Black, Cheyenne (Committee member) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Clean and accessible drinking water is a crucial and limited resource. As the world's population grows and demand increases, water resources will become more limited. This project aims to educate students on water resources, drinking water, and how biomimicry can allow society to improve its water usage. The project consists of a ten day unit plan which addresses several water topics such as: the various uses of water, water distribution, where drinking water comes from, the water treatment process, and more. After establishing background knowledge on water and surrounding issues, the students will be challenged to design a water bottle using biomimicry. Biomimicry is looking at nature to draw and inspire solutions to human problems. This unit has been optimized for use by elementary teachers. The ten day unit consists of a lesson summary, objectives, standards, and recommended activities for each day. Of the ten days, three lesson plans were fully developed using the 5E format. The research supporting this project is compiled in the following report.
ContributorsSalik, Rachael (Co-author) / Burke, Aurora (Co-author) / Walters, Molina (Thesis director) / Larson, Kelli L. (Committee member) / Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Programs (Contributor) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
As a Country, the United States is continually falling behind academically when compared to other Nations. Therefore, the purpose of my Honors Thesis is to enlighten others on the importance of incorporating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into our classrooms. When students have the chance to partake in hands on, inquiry based lessons, their new knowledge for the subject increases drastically. However, completing STEM lessons in the classroom is a challenging task. For this reason, I have designed a unit's worth of lesson plans, where the unit encompasses science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These STEM lessons are inquiry-based so that students get an understanding that science is a learning process, not just a group of facts to be memorized. The lessons are written in the 5E format, as this format is based on the way human beings learn. I wanted to make this as easy as possible for teachers to bring inquiry-based STEM learning into the classroom. When students are allowed to take control of their own learning and make discoveries for themselves, they are going to realize the excitement that comes with STEM. This will lead more students to pursue STEM careers, thus helping bring the United States back to a competitive level academically.
ContributorsPiatak, Mary Frances (Author) / Oliver, Jill (Thesis director) / Walters, Molina (Committee member) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
The chosen topic is derived from the study of Language and Literacy in the elementary school classroom. My compelling idea is how best to create an effective unit plan of lessons for teaching figurative language in fifth grade based on the Common Core standard "Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes." The main goal of my creative project is to write a unit plan of lessons along with a commentary detailing the strategies and methods to appropriately teach figurative language.
ContributorsBartels, Elizabeth Acevedo (Author) / Ballantyne, Cindy (Thesis director) / Wiens, Cheryl (Committee member) / Coffman, Cynthia (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor)
Created2013-05
Description
Author's gift inscription, "To D McNaught, Esq., With best wishes of W. Stewart Ross 7th May, 1903."
ContributorsRoss, William Stewart (Author) / Looser, Devoney (Project director)
Created2017-04-16