University

Friday, July 8, 2016
7 am Sam Cohen, Dallastown, PA Reid 101
Dallastown Area Senior High School, Dallastown, PA
Facilitator: Kathryn Gangel
Gamification on Student Performance in a Secondary Science Classroom
Gamification as a means of motivation in the classroom has been promoted as a means of improving student performance. The
purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of an instructor-designed video game on a ninth grade general science
classroom. The study also looked at student and parent perceptions of gamification within the classroom and the impact on the role
of the teacher.
7 am Ange M. Jones, Saint George, KS Reid 102
Wamego Middle School, Wamego, KS
Facilitator: Amy Chase
Project Based Learning as a Means to Increase Student Learning and Interest in Earth Science
Studies have shown that PBL is an effective instructional method that engages students with a deeper level of understanding of a
given topic through the presentation of a problem to solve. In this study, PBL was applied to middle school classes studying Earth
science, specifically plate tectonics and erosion. The study’s main focus was to determine if project based learning would increase
student learning, with a secondary focus on increasing student engagement and interest in Earth science.
7 am Alexandra B. Disney, Holderness, NH Reid 452
Holderness School, Holderness, NH
Facilitator: Patti Jones
Learning the Nature of Science with Open Inquiry in High School Chemistry
The twenty-first century science classroom involves inquiry learning, in which students investigate phenomena through science
and engineering practices. This study investigated whether engagement in open inquiry investigations impacted student
understanding of the Nature of Science, the way scientific knowledge develops. Through multiple formative assessments with
feedback, students most improved their confidence in and ability to design testable scientific research questions and corresponding
investigative plans. The results indicated that students struggled applying their investigative process to scientific methodology as a
whole.
7 am Lisa M. Rossana, Downingtown, PA Reid 452
Bishop Shanahan High School, Downingtown, PA
Facilitator: Jennifer Konopacki
Scientific Literacy: The Effects of Incorporating Literacy into a High School Environmental Science Classroom
Literacy spans all disciplines and educational levels. Literacy has become increasingly important in understanding course content
beyond the scope of a classroom. The incorporation of scientific literacy into science classrooms has been shown to encourage
critical thinking skills, connect interdisciplinary concepts to content material, and to help students make real-world connections to
their everyday lives. The main focus of this study was to determine if the incorporation of scientific literacy ancillary material would
increase students’ overall scientific literacy in environmental science. In addition to assessment scores, students’ confidence and
attitudes about learning science were also assessed.
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