This week’s guest blog is from Jacqueline Fawaz. Jacqueline was one of our Spring 2020 National Scholarship & Grant recipients. Like many educators around the world, she had to quickly shift the focus of her grant as schools began to close. She writes: 

While I had some active zoom sessions last Spring, I became quickly aware of how challenging it is to keep middle school science students engaged online. I made a commitment to provide my students this fall a “kit” of science essentials they will pick up with their online 1:1 device August 6th, before school starts. A conference I attended this summer, Science is Cool by Pocket labs, introduced me to an inexpensive, yet very accurate foldable microscope. I have about 80 students and now each of my students will have their own usable scope without needing any further technology. I also purchased supplies for each student to make their own slides at home while using these microscopes.

Curiosity is the key to maintaining engagement during a science class. I am committed to ensuring my zoom sessions are focused on the three dimensions of science. My students will be exposed to engaging phenomena and create investigations and predictions based on questions they ask as they analyze the phenomenon. I have purchased a green screen with a stand to enable my classroom to look magical, scientific, silly, etc. I have purchased silly hats, noses, disguises, etc. to create a more engaging virtual experience as their teacher. I want to create a sense of excitement in our zoom sessions that will increase attendance and overall learning and also tie into the “fun” of learning.

AAE is currently accepting applications in our COVID-19 Relief Grant program. This program provides teachers with the funds needed to shift their instruction to meet the challenges they’re currently facing. Apply online by August 31.

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