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All Blog Posts (21)

A Visual Summary and Thoughts on the BC Education Plan

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Added by Lionel on November 8, 2011 at 2:02pm — No Comments

New Educational Plan from the Ministry of Education

Preamble

At our BC Science Institute October 2009 and during my keynote address to over 220 BC Science Teachers, I pointed out that eventually a time will come when they will have to take steps to become informed and deeply understand the direction the Ministry of Education is going with educational reform. I also stated I would identify when that time would occur.

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Added by Lionel on October 31, 2011 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Cool Research Opportunity for Physics Teachers Interested in Social Media

Had a chance today to chat with Dr Rachel Moll from the Faculty of Education, Vancouver Island University. Many of you may know Rachel has been actively involved with APT and the BC chapter. She is currently looking at developing a theory of how social media is changing how students learn science and to make recommendations for how teachers can effectively use social media to teach science.

I asked her to share her…

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Added by Lionel on October 21, 2011 at 5:39pm — No Comments

Student Assessment Bank Released at Catalyst

Tomorrow is the BC Science Teachers conference – Catalyst - and I'm looking forward to catching up with folks who will be attending. For those not able to make the day, just a quick note to let you know a bit about our new STUDENT ASSESSMENT BANK

As you know, we have already have an…

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Added by Lionel on October 20, 2011 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Posting to the Wiki

As we start the year I am pleased to notice that I've had several questions around the Wiki and posting to the Wiki. This short post is a quick overview of how to contribute to the Wiki.

I like to think of the Wiki as an organic, digital teacher resource. The key word being organic. In the past, teacher support has been one way. Material is posted and you could download what you needed. I struggled with this concept because it didn't address all the new and creative ideas…

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Added by Lionel on September 23, 2011 at 2:30pm — No Comments

No More Optional Provincial Exams - Only Five Left

Happy Summer Everyone,

As you start to think about the upcoming school year, you might want to add this to your planning thoughts. I don't think this is a surprise, but the Ministry released a press release today stating the all Optional Provincial exams will no longer be offered. Rather the three grade 10, one grade 11 and one grade 12 exam will be the only exams students…

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Added by Lionel on August 18, 2011 at 10:05pm — 6 Comments

Some Teaching Thoughts on the Removal of Climate Change from the BC Science 10 Provincial Exam

I've had a few folks ask about the teaching implications of the removal of the prescribed learning outcomes around Climate Change for the provincial exam. Below is what I've been saying to folks. I would be curious to hear any other points of view or thoughts on this issue of removing a current, topical issue based unit from the exam.

********************* Pasted conversation from various emails…

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Added by Lionel on June 21, 2011 at 9:12pm — 1 Comment

Update on Changes to BC Science 10 Exam

I've had a chance to email chat with the Ministry and I think I have a bit more context and background information around the recent changes. For those who may not be teaching Science 10, the following information was released by the Ministry in relation to the Science 10 provincial exam.

"Science 10: Effective September 2011, the prescribed learning outcomes which cover the Energy Transfer in Natural Systems sub-organizer, will no longer be examined on the…

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Added by Lionel on June 13, 2011 at 1:08pm — No Comments

Another Free Resource Link

Hi all,

I just became aware of this free chemistry resource link:

http://misterguch.brinkster.net/freestuff.html

Enjoy, and we'll look forward to seeing everyone on October 22nd!

-Chris

Added by Chris Toth on October 6, 2010 at 2:31pm — No Comments

The Year of Science in British Columbia

On Friday, the Premier announced the Year of Science in British Columbia. You can find more information on the events for the upcoming year at www.yearofsciencebc.ca and the press release at http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2010PREM0170-001130.htm.

Those of you that have heard me talk about science being lost in the wave of literacy… Continue

Added by Lionel on September 27, 2010 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Welcome Back ......

For many of you this will be the end of the first full week

of school and I suspect the relaxing rhythm of the summer has been replaced

with the frenetic pace of the classroom. Or what a good colleague of mine calls

the “tyranny of the moment.”

Still, what could be better than teaching science! And it’s with that

excitement that I am looking forward to this school year.

I keep hearing…

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Added by Lionel on September 17, 2010 at 12:46pm — No Comments

GETTING TO KNOW... John Munro

Teachers who knew how to put the action into science are responsible for inspiring John Munro to pursue a career in science teaching. Chemistry kits, electronic labs and building sets were the toys he loved the most. Now, they are part of his job. "I strongly believe that science is an activity, and not just a pile of facts to be memorized," he says. "I believe that science is a verb, not just a noun", It's a motto he honours as… Continue

Added by Aerin Guy on March 19, 2010 at 5:14pm — No Comments

A Key Fossil

Had a great lunch with SFU prof Joan Sharp. She told me about the fossil Tiktaalik - a fish with fins that had wrists and elbows and found on Ellesmere Island on 2004. Here's some more info on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiktaalik

A good book to accompany this is "Your Inner Fish"…

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Added by Lionel on February 16, 2010 at 12:46am — No Comments

Interesting Link - Reading Ability at 15 a predictor of success?

This is an interesting link. Not directly related to Environmental

Science, but clearly a key if we're going to engage our kids in a

manner that encourages them to explore the possibilities a

science-based career might offer. I like the focus on high school ....

that's long been ignored in favour of support at elementary level.…

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Added by Lionel on February 12, 2010 at 2:44pm — 2 Comments

Kinda Cool - Olympic Story

Not sure if folks have heard of this. But, it's a cool story and has a nice connection to the Olympics. http://www.nature.com/nature/videoarchive/antikythera/

A fit for grade 9 astronomy?

Added by Lionel on February 9, 2010 at 3:10pm — No Comments

What are your 2010 technology resolutions?

Hi teachers - and welcome to 2010!

Technology in the classroom has become a hot button issue for many of you, and it is inspiring to see so many teachers exploring Twitter, blogging, and collaborating on education technology topics on the www.

As the end of 2009 approached, I noticed some interesting additions to the typical "end of the year round ups" in the realm of entertainment and media. Teachers are getting into the game with their own aggregations of what's hot and what's not -… Continue

Added by Aerin Guy on January 4, 2010 at 3:49pm — 5 Comments

GETTING TO KNOW... Don Mathewson

Don Mathewson bears an uncanny resemblance to Janus, the Roman god of gateways and beginnings.

That's no accident. Don is actually a god of gateways and beginnings in physical science.

Founder and organizer of the Kwantlen Science Challenge, he loves to send students and teachers alike, on exciting new journeys into the world of physics.

Don has taught Physics and Math at high school and college… Continue

Added by Aerin Guy on October 16, 2009 at 1:00pm — No Comments

GETTING TO KNOW... Cheri Smith

Cheri Smith tried her best to resist the urge to teach, but it was no good. "I come from a long line of teachers, principals and coaches so in the end the pull was too strong," says the Yale Secondary School AP Chemistry guru. "You could say teaching is in my blood!" Now Cheri wonders why she ever resisted.

Outside of the science classroom, Cheri grabs every chance she can get to SCUBA dive. She also consults for the… Continue

Added by Aerin Guy on October 7, 2009 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Time to Advocate for Science: Is Canadian Education Missing the Point?

Over the past decade of travels in and out of schools, board offices, and educational stakeholder offices, I’ve noticed a rather subtle, but disturbing, trend in the view many folks have about science education. Educational decision makers, leaders and stakeholders don’t really have the time or budget support to support the growth and development of science teachers.

Some may see this as an inflammatory statement, so… Continue

Added by Lionel on September 15, 2009 at 1:30pm — 1 Comment

GETTING TO KNOW... Chris Toth

St. Thomas More Collegiate's Chris Toth, likes music almost as much as he likes science, which explains why his profile picture is a guitar. When he's not performing in front of the class, or at a convention, you might find him playing a gig at your local bar!

Chris will be rocking the science world once again… Continue

Added by Aerin Guy on September 11, 2009 at 4:00pm — 3 Comments