{"id":3426,"date":"2021-02-03T17:26:29","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T22:26:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/?p=3426"},"modified":"2023-01-27T16:42:14","modified_gmt":"2023-01-27T21:42:14","slug":"increasing-engagement-while-minimizing-cost-in-a-science-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/2021\/02\/increasing-engagement-while-minimizing-cost-in-a-science-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Increasing Engagement While Minimizing Cost in a Science Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you are a teacher that is concerned with providing the best possible lessons for your students but do not have the government funding nor the paycheck to spend on, that sentiment is completely understandable and valid. The cost of education has always been a factor of concern in minds of many, whether you are a teacher or a student. But I would like to promise you this: you can still be a transformative teacher that provides engaging content without spending a lot of money.
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If we take Glasser’s profound words to heart, we will see that we can still provide high-quality education to our students without the need for expensive lab equipment or costly materials.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Here are 5 engaging resources that could be an effective start to your learning cycles:<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

1. ) Demos Obtained From the Internet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With recent technological advancements, we have the ability to obtain and share informational content in a quick and effective manner. A quick Google search can lead to a plethora of interactive and cost-efficient science experiments. Here is an example of a fun and educational physics experiment that you can do with materials already present in a traditional classroom: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Source: http:\/\/www.scifun.org\/homeexpts\/homeexperiments.pdf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. ) Simulations <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Resources like PhET are a great way to get students to interact with math and science concepts without needing to pay for any extra materials. Students are also given the freedom to manipulate variables and better learn concepts through simulations that would otherwise be very costly to replicate in real life (I’m sure many students cannot afford a cannon or a trebuchet, let alone justify the purchase).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Link: https:\/\/phet.colorado.edu\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. ) Brain Busters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Activities like brain busters would be a great way to get your students to be engaged with concepts of science before the lesson even starts. These types of activities promote asking questions, collaborating with your classmates, critical-reasoning, and deduction skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Answer: 1995 and 1953 are room numbers at a hospital!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. ) Movies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Movies are a dynamic form of media that may choose to retain the natural laws of physics, biology, etc. or make up its own. Teachers can prompt student thinking and discussion by introducing popular pop culture references and ask them to discuss the realism of science that is at play here. Here’s an example of a good scene to talk about with your students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_554n1Lhr14\n<\/div>
This movie alone could spark many interesting discussions on the plausibility of the movie’s events<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. ) Video Games<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Interest in video games by both children and adults like have significantly increased over the years. They are an important part of our pop culture and integrating lessons with clips from your students’ favorite video games would be a great way to show them that you can integrate their interests with school. Similar to movies, you can create discussions regarding the realism of science that is shown in video games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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