2006 National GK-12 Conference

1. Louisiana State University 2006 National GK-12 Conference This GK-12 program (Track 1, 2005-08) is a joint effort of the Office of Strategic Initiatives and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Basic Sciences, and Engineering at LSU. It is coordinated by LSU’s Gordon A. Cain Center which currently manages or collaborates in over $8M in grant and contract funding for a variety of education, research, and outreach programs. The GK-12 program profits in many ways by the vast opportunities to network, share, and collaborate with other major education initiatives like LSU’s (a) content department based “Concentrations in Secondary Education,” (b) Math and Science Partnerships, and (c) Advanced Placement Initiative. The GK-12 activities address the educational needs of the school systems in the greater Baton Rouge area. All activities are designed to directly impact student achievement in the participating classrooms and, equally important, to lay the foundation for systemic and sustainable links between our university and K-12. The project supports nine school teams per year consisting of one graduate fellow, two teachers, and one undergraduate fellow. Below, four of the nine teams present their GK-12 projects in more detail. Kenilworth Middle School Broadmoor High School Belaire High School Capitol Middle School The majority of Belaire high school students feel that chemistry is often presented in an abstract manner. Thus, it is sometimes difficult to effectively convey chemistry concepts using conventional blackboard-style lectures. In fact, a significant number of students tend to lose attention at critical points during instruction making it difficult for them to build the prerequisite knowledge needed for college. Mathematics graduate student Karli Morris helps students in the Kenilworth Middle School math lab. (Left) Science teacher Sue Johnson joins with GK-12 undergraduate fellow Ashleigh Cullen and students during the demonstrations using chemicals to make “silly puddy”. The demonstration was used to illustrate how important fractions and percents are to chemistry. (Right) Students display their projects with the GK-12 fellows. Field trip to the Louisiana Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory Undergraduate student tutors students. • Individualizing Math Instruction and raising test scores. • Program Objectives • To improving standardized test scores using tutoring during school, after school, and on Saturdays. • Utilizing the Leap Test scores to identify high achieving students for enrichment activities. • To increase teacher collaboration and cross curricular activities. • Our Program • Karli Morris, a GK-12 graduate student in the math department at Louisiana State University, enriches instruction by tutoring high achieving students in small groups. • Danika Robinson, an undergraduate student, prepares students for state testing. • The students in each group have been identified by analyzing data from previous standardized tests. • Accomplishments • Raised interest in mathematics and math related fields. • Collaboration of team members and math teachers has made it easier to identify high achievers and direct them toward advanced placement courses such as calculus. • The project affords graduate and undergraduate students valuable teaching experience in their field. • Teachers from Kenilworth Middle School are participating in staff development along side the Louisiana State University students. • A Saturday tutoring program has been developed that prepares 8th graders for standardized tests. • Program Objectives • Implement an AP physics course and upgrade the regular physics to honors. • Raise the level of interest in STEM disciplines. • Link undergraduate science and math to the secondary level. • Our Program • A graduate candidate from LSU is working as a liaison between the math and physics courses. • Lab activities that include inquiry and technology are being designed and implemented. • Lab manuals are being prepared which include detailed documentation for teachers and students. • Higher level mathematics concepts are introduced in selected physics lectures/demonstrations. • Alignment of advanced math, calculus and physics curricula. • Accomplishments • The students are adjusting remarkably well to the transition from honors to AP level physics. • An AP physics class will be offered in 2006-2007. • The possibility of offering Algebra I and physical science to 7th graders & geometry and conceptual physics to 8th graders is being explored. • The GK-12 team supports the school’s new math lab, which has 32 new computers as well as probes for data collection and analysis. The GK-12 undergraduate fellow has been instrumental in the activities of the new lab, tutoring students and developing an efficient scheduling procedure. • Algebra in the 8th grade • Program Objectives • Algebra students in 8th grade will be adequately prepared for high school mathematics. • Students will participate in tutoring that is offered during school and after school which prepares the students for standardized tests. • To raise the interest in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. • Program Objectives • Produce supplemental instruction material for existing honors chemistry class and non-honors classes. • Provide material support for chemistry lab demonstrations. • Utilize multimedia-based lectures. • Build infrastructure for an AP chemistry course and bridge high school level chemistry with college freshmen level chemistry. • Our Program • An LSU chemistry Ph.D. candidate is working with a veteran high school chemistry teacher to augment the existing chemistry curriculum. • Conventional chemistry lecture notes and related instruction materials are being converted into electronic notes. • Multimedia Chemistry Lectures • Use Microsoft™ PowerPoint to present chemistry lectures in a more attractive and exciting way. • Color code text to help students to mentally link terminology with concepts. • Color code numbers and equations to help students better understand mathematical operations related to instruction. • Use animation to introduce complex concepts in a stepwise manner. Capitol Middle students join other students to see a demonstration by ExxonMobil. Capitol Middle students join other students to see a demonstration using liquid nitrogen. • Our Program • Engineering graduate student Kevin Tubbs teaches high school level algebra to 8th grade students along side an experienced math teacher. • Ashleigh Cullen, an undergraduate student at Louisiana State University operates the math lab, which provides tutoring during and after school. • GK-12 team members analyze test data to identify advanced students to be steered toward Algebra I. • Accomplishments • The development of a math elective course which aims to make use of the school’s existing video production lab to develop math tutoring video lessons for the school. • The tutoring program will expand and incorporate peer tutoring. • LSU’s GK-12 program and American Chemical Society collaborate to provide both in class demonstrations and field trips to the chemistry department’s Super Saturday Science day on LSU campus. Undergraduate student Danica Robinson tutors sixth graders with Stanine scores of 3 or less. Students use manipulatives to study physics. Graduate student Karim ElKohly demonstrates a physics lab