SCI-905 enhances curriculum

As I look back on the time that I have spent doing the experiments and experiences for this course, I am glad to have had the opportunity to get a jump start on next year's class. Two weeks after registering for Sci 905 my school called and asked me to teach Earth Science. I am a Spanish teacher who is sometimes called upon to cover science classes and this year I had decided to go ahead and finish my science certification over the summer, but I did not know that I would become the new middle school science teacher in the fall. The Lord knew and I am grateful for the head start that he has given me.

As my new text book came in this week, I see that the second chapter is maps and topography. Having spent many hours this summer working with maps through Sci 905, I am relieved to know that I have some projects and even samples prepared to get the year off to an exciting start. I particularly look forward to teaching about contour lines. There are many more experiments that I will need to familiarize myself with but this running start gives me a model to follow in actively teaching and involving students in their own learning.

Sci 905 also enhanced my preparations for this year by helping me to be aware of the earth science going on around me every day. By nature I am attracted to the life sciences, but this summer I have become particularly aware of how applicable earth science is to my daily life. I find myself noticing different types of soils, the causes of wind, elevation and various other topics. This awareness will help me to give meaning to the material that I will be teaching in the coming years.

The time put into Sci 905 this summer made valuable memories both for me and my children with whom I did most of the work. These learning experiences will enhance my program both through my preparedness to teach about mapping as well as my increased awareness of everyday earth science.