Content, Pedagogy and Technology

The content we focused on for our science challenge is 1st grade science, plant growth. We chose to use a pedagogy that included observing (through the use of a microscope), classifying (the different types of leaves and what characteristics set them apart), and analyzing data (making what they are learning thier own by drawing their own picture of a leaf). Becuase youngsters are naturally curious, we thought by allowing our students to become their own scientists and collecting thier own samples of leaves and watching them under a microscope would utilize that naturally curiosity in a way that would help them learn the curriculum content standards. The technologies that we decided to use are the DigitalBlue microscopes and the Paint program on Windows. The microscopes allow that entire classroom to observe what is being seen in the lens at the same time, instead of having to huddle around a tiny eye-piece and taking turns; this way, students can all analyze and observe at the same time. We decided that utilizing Paint would expose students to a new way to create art - they have drawing with paper and pencil/crayon since they were in preschool so enabling them another medium for artistic creation, we thought, would help spark their creativity.