GALAXY Classroom ~ powered by Best Practice Networks

In this eight-week course, participating educators will learn how to use an inquiry approach to encourage student curiosity, engagement, and knowledge acquisition about how the world works. This dynamic science education course will ask participants to construct knowledge by "doing" prescribed hands-on investigation exercises with their classroom students and sharing their reflections. Through building a community of fellow inquirers, teachers will discuss results in cooperative group forums. Participants will explore the available technology resources and find new ways to develop their skills as a science teacher.

This course is self-paced. There will be opportunities to collaborate with peers; however, work can be completed within the individual's own time schedule. The majority of the subject matter is delivered through online readings and interaction and feedback with the forum community.

Introduction to Inquiry-Based Science:

Introduction to Inquiry: Theory, background, research
Constructivism: The approach that makes inquiry possible
The National Science Standards: Relating content to curriculum
How to Achieve Inquiry-Based Learning in Your Classroom
Compelling Inquiry-Based Science Curriculum Model: GALAXY Classroom
The Scientific Thinking Processes: How science is truly learned
Introduction to Technology Integration
Assessing Student Understanding

Timeframe: 32-50 hours
Check with your district for staff development credits.

University credits are available for an additional credit fee when you complete the full series including the project and reflective essay. University credit requires that you specialize in one of the four exemplar curricula as listed below.

The following activities are also required for teachers pursuing university credit:
Project - Classroom Implementation of Lessons
Reflection - Analysis of Implementation and its Impact on Your Teaching and Student Learning

You will conduct work in the course using a science curriculum specialization. You may choose any of the four programs below as your exemplar curriculum.

Finders, Seekers, Science Keepers (PreK - 1 Grade)	Fixer Uppers (1st & 2nd Grades)	Movers & Shakers (3rd & 4th Grades)	S.N.O.O.P.S (4th & 5th Grades)
Dripping, Mixing, Freezing Liquids Body Works South, Light, Shadows Feed the Needs of Pets and Seeds Air, Wind, Weather, Stars Critters in Action	Exploring Solids Exploring Liquids Exploring Mixtures Finding Creature Features Growth and development Building Creature Homes	Sound and Light Magnetism & Electricity Air, Water & Weather Living Things Force & Motion Heat & Simple Machines Above the Clouds Geology	Patterns as Evidence Doing Experiments to Describe and Compare Materials Building Models to Invent and Explain Ideas Tracking Living Action to Relate Form and Function

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