Submitted by Jane Jackson (not verified) on December 13, 2007 - 15:07.
Modeling Instruction in high school physics includes projects, and it's an improvement on project-based instruction because students are guided to develop and use scientific models in order to do their real-world projects. Projects called lab practicums are culminating activities in each two-week modeling cycle. Students need scientific models to guide them in doing projects.
Here's an example: an email posted on Dec. 10, 2007 to the modeling listserv by a veteran teacher and advisor for the robotics club:
"... Modeling Instruction is far and away the most effective way to teach kids real science and math in the world today. The Briarwood Christian High School B.E.S.T. Robotics Team (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology through Robotics) won first place in the SOUTH'S B.E.S.T. ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT at Auburn University on Saturday, Dec.8. This was a 48 team tournament from states East of the Mississippi River. They won a 24 team ALABAMA B.E.S.T. Robotics Tournament to get to the SOUTH'S B.E.S.T.
The only difference I can see in our kids and kids from other schools
(including engineering and magnet schools) is that our kids are being
taught science with the Modeling Instruction Method. They have the
"tools" to solve real problems. At the tournament they spent two days
without any adult advice and solved all of the problems on the robot
they designed and built throughout 16 rounds. My job was bus driving,
getting food and enjoying their success."
Modeling Instruction includes & improves Project-based learning
Submitted by Jane Jackson (not verified) on December 13, 2007 - 15:07.
Modeling Instruction in high school physics includes projects, and it's an improvement on project-based instruction because students are guided to develop and use scientific models in order to do their real-world projects. Projects called lab practicums are culminating activities in each two-week modeling cycle. Students need scientific models to guide them in doing projects.
Here's an example: an email posted on Dec. 10, 2007 to the modeling listserv by a veteran teacher and advisor for the robotics club:
"... Modeling Instruction is far and away the most effective way to teach kids real science and math in the world today. The Briarwood Christian High School B.E.S.T. Robotics Team (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology through Robotics) won first place in the SOUTH'S B.E.S.T. ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT at Auburn University on Saturday, Dec.8. This was a 48 team tournament from states East of the Mississippi River. They won a 24 team ALABAMA B.E.S.T. Robotics Tournament to get to the SOUTH'S B.E.S.T.
The only difference I can see in our kids and kids from other schools
(including engineering and magnet schools) is that our kids are being
taught science with the Modeling Instruction Method. They have the
"tools" to solve real problems. At the tournament they spent two days
without any adult advice and solved all of the problems on the robot
they designed and built throughout 16 rounds. My job was bus driving,
getting food and enjoying their success."