Even More Brain Powered Science

The third of Thomas OOCOBrienOCOs books designed for 5OCo12 grade science teachers, Even More Brain-Powered Science uses questions and inquiry-oriented discrepant eventsOCoexperiments or demonstrations in which the outcomes are not what students expectOCoto dispute misconceptions and challenge students to think about, discuss, and examine the real outcomes of the experiments. OOCOBrien has developed interactive activitiesOComany of which use inexpensive materialsOCoto engage the natural curiosity of both teachers and students and create new levels of scientific understanding."

* How can water and a penny demonstrate the power of mathematics and molecular theory?* Do spelling and punctuation really matter to the human brain?The third of Thomas O' Brien' s books designed for 5- 12 grade science teachers, Even More Brain-Powered Science uses the questions above and 11 other inquiry-oriented discrepant events-- experiments or demonstrations in which the outcomes are not what students expect-- to dispute misconceptions and challenge students to think about, discuss, and examine the real outcomes of the experiments. O' Brien has developed interactive activities-- many of which use inexpensive materials-- to engage the natural curiosity of both teachers and students and create new levels of scientific understanding. The hands-on activities serve as visual participatory analogies for science education principles related to the nature of science and cognitive learning theory, bridging the gap between practice and theory.Each exploration, along with the related extension activities, can serve as the framework for a series of professional development sessions or complement conventional preservice science textbooks. Each of O' Brien' s easy-to-use chapters includes an expected outcome, an explanation of the science and science education concepts, discussion points, the procedure, and a list of related websites. Whether you are new to the Brain-Powered Science books or are a " brain-powered" professional, this book is sure to create shared entertaining educational experiences for teachers and students.

Author Thomas OOCOBrien uses 20 inquiry-oriented discrepant eventsOCohands-on explorations or demonstrations in which the outcomes are not what students expectOCoto challenge studentsOCO preconceived ideas and urge them to critically examine the empirical evidence, draw logical inferences, and skeptically review their initial explanations with their peers. ItOCOs the perfect dual-purpose activity book for science teachers who aim to motivate their students while expanding their own scientific understanding."

* What can a chocolate chip cookie tell us about the Earth' s resources and the importance of environmental conservation?* How can a clear, colorless spray solution unveil a hidden message on a blank sign?Author Thomas O' Brien uses these and 20 other inquiry-oriented discrepant events-- hands-on explorations or demonstrations in which the outcomes are not what students expect-- to challenge students' preconceived ideas and urge them to critically examine the empirical evidence, draw logical inferences, and skeptically review their initial explanations with their peers. More Brain-Powered Science is the perfect dual-purpose activity book for grade 5- 12 science teachers who aim to stimulate and motivate their students while expanding their own scientific understanding. Each activity will help bridge the gap between practice and theory for both students and teachers by relating conclusions to science concepts and pedagogical principles. Speaking directly to teachers, O' Brien writes:"This book is based on the assumption that just as our students learn science by experiencing, thinking, writing, discussing, and doing phenomena-based science with peers, we need similar experiences to grow as teachers of science. ... Careerlong learning with and from our students and colleagues as we engage with them in interactive, participatory, experiential learning is the hallmark of highly qualified teachers who expect and obtain the MOST from themselves (minds-on science teaching) and their students."The inquiry-based lessons and more than 80 related extension activities can serve as the framework for professional development collaborations or as a supplement to conventional preservice science teaching methods courses. Each chapter includes an introduction, an explanation of the science and science education concepts addressed, a materials list, teacher debriefing tools, safety notes, and additional internet resources. Whether used in conjunction with O' Brien' s previous book, Brain-Powered Science, or as an independent text, More Brain-Powered Science offers hours of interactive learning for teachers and students alike.

* How can a long metal needle pass through a balloon without popping it?* How can water flow at very different rates through two identical funnels?* How can a stick, placed on a table under several sheets of newspaper and extended over the edge of a table, snap when quickly struck-- without lifting or tearing the paper?Author Thomas O' Brien takes these and 30 more science inquiry activities to a higher level in this book for educators who love to surprise and challenge their students with unanticipated results. Using experiments based on the science of a " discrepant event" -- an experiment or demonstration in which the outcome is not what students expect-- O' Brien shows how learners can be motivated to reconsider their preconceived notions and think more closely about what has actually occurred and the underlying scientific explanations.What makes this volume more valuable than a mere activity book is the addition of a science education component to the extensive science content found in each activity. Each discrepant event is shown to be analogous to a pedagogical principle. Speaking directly to teachers, O' Brien writes: Your participation as teacher-as-learner-experimenter (rather than simply passive reader) in these minds-on activities will lead you to question, and help you to revise, your implicit assumptions about the nature of science, teaching, and learning. At the same time, you will develop expertise with activities that you can use with your own students. The dual-purpose activities thus allow you to unlock two doors with one key-- the doors to your own learning and to your students' learning. The detailed analogies between the activities and science learning make the book an ideal resource for middle and high school teachers, science teacher educators and their preservice students, and professional development specialists alike.This thorough and thought-provoking text includes more than 200 up-to-date internet resources, as well as extensions to each of the physical science, biology, and chemistry activities-- bringing the total number of inquiry activities to nearly 120. Most important, the author reminds teachers that the study of science is full of surprises and should be both meaningful and fun for students.

Contains instructions for twenty inquiry-oriented discrepant events designed to challenge students' preconceived notions and help them examine the evidence to reach logical conclusions. Includes more than eighty related extension activities.

Rise and Shine provides a friendly support system that new science teachers can turn to in their first days, months, and even years in the classroom. This easy-to-read book offers plenty of helpful techniques for managing the classroom, maintaining discipline, and working with parents. But it also covers important topics unique to science teaching, such as setting up a laboratory, keeping the classroom safe, and initiating inquiry from the first day. Sprinkled throughout the book is candid advice from seasoned science teachers who offer both useful strategies and warm reassurance. Rise and Shine is designed to help preservice teachers, those in the first few years of teaching (regardless of grade level), and those who may be entering a new situation within the teaching field. If you need a mentor-or if you are a mentor or instructor who wants to support beginning science teachers-this book is for you.