Initial Publication Date: September 5, 2024

Recurring Themes and Assignments in this Course

In this course, there are a handful of recurring quantitative themes and assignment types. These build vertical alignment into the course

Recurring Quantitative Themes:

  • Direct v. Inverse proportionality
  • Plotting data and interpreting graphs
  • Accuracy v. Precision
  • Unit conversions
  • Calculate and interpret mean and standard deviation

Recurring assignment types:

  • Science/Lab Journals General Instructions/Rubric (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 2.9MB Aug30 24). Science Journals are created by students during each lab activity.
  • Reflections General Instructions/Rubric (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 66kB Dec5 23). Reflections are assigned at the conclusion of most units (typically every 1-1.5 weeks). Reflections ask students to demonstrate higher-order thinking by putting their learning in their own words and also to apply their knowledge in new and novel situations.
  • Lesson Plans are assigned as summative assignments at the time when a midterm would typically be given (every 1 month or so).
  • Scientist Spotlights General Instructions/Rubric (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 4.6MB Jul8 24). The goal of these is to showcase an array of scientists in fields relevant to the topics of the day, some from long ago and others young and active today, together representing a diversity of people who have all overcome some challenge in pursuit of their scientific passion. Each time students are assigned a Scientist Spotlight to read, they are given a brief "trading card" with introductory notes and instructions to look up the person online and be prepared to share something surprising or interesting that you learned. The scientists we consider are:
    • Unit 1.2: Agnes Pockels
    • Unit 2.1: Wanda Diaz-Merced
    • Unit 2.1 Extension: Jazmin Scarlett
    • Unit 2.5: Eunice Foote
    • Unit 3.2: Joseph Priestley
    • Unit 3.4: Gladys West
    • Unit 3.6: Marie Tharp
    • Unit 4.1: Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
    • Unit 4.2: Edward Bouchet
    • Unit 4.3: Sang-Mook Lee
    • Unit 4.4 Final Scientist Spotlight Assignment: YOU!!!