{"id":4153,"date":"2022-02-01T16:52:37","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T21:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/?p=4153"},"modified":"2023-01-27T16:37:21","modified_gmt":"2023-01-27T21:37:21","slug":"engaging-students-without-outraging-your-wallet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/2022\/02\/engaging-students-without-outraging-your-wallet\/","title":{"rendered":"Engaging Students Without Outraging Your Wallet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It is so rewarding to see a classroom of engaged students, discovering new things and creatively approaching activities, but this is often daunting… and expensive! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how is a well-meaning teacher supposed to engage students on a budget? Because let’s face it, money isn’t exactly the first word that comes to mind when someone says teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I know that most of us would gladly spend our hard-earned money to create meaningful experiences for our students, but what if we didn’t have to?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog, I want to present five methods for engaging students in the science classroom that won’t cost a kidney and a half to implement into our lessons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Go Outside!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cost: FREE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This first resource isn’t exactly revolutionary, but as outside is where the nature is, it makes sense that a biology class might spend some time out there. Although I understand that some schools particularly in the city, might not have access to nature outside their doors, for schools that do have this access, spending the first couple minutes outside can be a great way for students to hone their observation skills and get their energy out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this is based in psychological research on child development. Kuo et al. 2018 suggest that students learn better outdoors; they are more engaged and focused on the task at hand. Peruse a summary of their findings here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And even for those schools without access to the great outdoors, The Nature Conservatory offers free virtual field trips (which are relatively long but can be shortened) that can help students get into the mindset of discovery. Check it out here<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Following Scientific Advancements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cost: FREE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another way to engage students is by relating science concepts to current events. Following ongoing scientific expeditions or discoveries can create connections between the classroom and outside world and can lead to students invested in the subject matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just last February, about a year ago, we saw NASA’s Perseverance Rover touch down on Mars. In many of my college level classes, my professor would start by asking us if heard any of the news on the rover, which was an engaging way to start the class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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