Activity Review Process

The major outcome for our planetary science summer course for middle- and high-school teachers was a teaching activity. Throughout the course, along with science and math content, we discussed pedagogy in general along with specific questions the teachers had as they concurrently worked on their teaching activities. On the last day of class each teacher presented their activity to the class and fielded questions and comments. The next day they each uploaded their completed draft activity to the SERC website.

Once on the website, the instructors and teachers used the discussion at the bottom of each activity to comment on the activity; additional conversations occurred via email. The teachers then edited their activities based on the comments.

Over the school year following their participation, the teachers will each use their activities in the classroom, and further refine them based on experience. By the following spring, the activities should be strong and easily implemented by others.