The staff development program introduces the Chemistry module, Making inferences from observed data is emphasized through several hands-on activities.
In the student programs, students explore the properties and interaction of matter and learn to use chemical tools in their explorations. The topics include: Observing Matter & Changes, Properties of Matter, Mixtures & Solutions, Chemical & Physical Change, Rates of Change, Vitamin C Testing, Density, and Concept Using & Assessment.

 

The staff development program introduces the Forces and Motion module in preparation for the students programs. These programs involve teachers in the elements of good science teaching and meaningful assessment. What does it look like? How do we do it? Student programs present students with opportunities to explore the big ideas and related concepts of focuses and motion. In each program, students engage in hands-on/minds-on activities to build their understanding of force and motion concepts. The topics include: Getting to Know Newton, Measuring Force, Newton II: Making Things Move, Toys, Forces and Motion, More About Newton: Action-Reaction, Getting the Advantage: Simple Machines, More About Machines and Concept Using & Assessment.

 

The staff development program introduces the Earth Processes module in preparation for the student programs. The teaching strategies emphasized are discussed and several of the hands-on activities are reviewed. In the student programs, students investigate the processes that build and erode land forms and materials, emphasizing cycles and interactions. They explore sedimentation, geology, landforms, weathering and erosion, rock and soil cycles, mapping, and the ways these earth processes influence each other. The topics include: Maps & Models, Time & Position, Mountain Building, Rocks & Soils, Weathering & Erosion, Sedimentation, What If…? Explorations and Concept Using & Assessment.

 

The staff development program provides the basis of the content, teaching methods and procedures used in the student telecasts. Key concepts, strategies, and outcomes for the Ecosystems module are reviewed. Teachers become familiar with the materials and organisms essential to the activities. Tip for setting up and maintaining the classroom aquarium environments are presented. This program series provides students with the opportunity to investigate ecosystems with an emphasis on human impact on the environment. Students investigate systems and interactions as they explore predator-prey relationships, energy transfer in ecosystems, energy resources, habitat and pollution.

 

An overview of the module is presented in the staff development program including kit materials and use, information specific to the set up, and the growth and maintenance of Wisconsin Fast Plants™. Teaching strategies emphasize question posing and experimental design. In the student programs, students use Fast Plants to explore the growth and development of a flowering plant through its entire life cycle. As the Fast Plants develop, the students design and conduct experiments. When flowers appear, students pollinate them with "beesticks" and then observe as the plants complete their life cycle and produce seeds. The content includes: Planting Fast Plants, Seeds & Germination, What If?….., Experimental Design, Pollination, Variation & Diversity, Life Cycles and Assessment & Investigation.