Teacher participants' assessment of
Middle School Science Teachers Workshop

SA
A
N
D
SD
The instructors communicated effectively.
12
3
The instructors made effective use of class time.
13
2
The instructors generated enthusiasm in me for the course material
13
2
The materials provided were appropriate and useful.
13
2
The in-class activities were appropriate and useful.
12
2
1
I will use some of the workshop material in future classes.
12
3
I will use all of the workshop material in future classes.
2
6
4
3
The workshop as a whole fostered my intellectual growth.
14
1
What segments of the workshop did you enjoy the most?
- I really enjoyed the physics segment. Students will really enjoy using the new software when studying Newton's Laws
- Field study plant & animal ID, DNA testing at Kenyon; Making the telescope.
- The telescope building was amazing! Working with colleagues on a real life problem from the pond was exciting.
- I enjoyed all segments equally.
-I learned something new about every topic. The hands-on activities. Opportunity to build camaraderie
with fellow science teachers. Learning about new ways to teach difficult concepts.
- I really enjoyed the pond study, making telescopes and learning about the program.
- Most of the segments of the workshop I will be using!
- Genetics/Physics demos
- Telescopes, pond study and research, power point, physics and motion.
- Building Telescope, Newton's Law and use of the computer: Power Point, etc. various software on genetics 
- Pond study & experimental activities - setting up a research project and completing with power point.
Lab work at Kenyon.
- The use of theory and practice helped us in understanding many of the concepts.
- I enjoyed both the hands-on and the lecture - and then visiting the labs at Kenyon really emphasized the reality of the material at work.
- All activities related to the pond-meter readings-animal and plant studies - final presentation.
- I enjoyed the daily pond research and data collection.
What area of the workshop needs the most improvement?
- I felt the workshop was wonderful. Every day was beneficial to my intellectual growth.
- Some of the explanations were too involved for my science background.
- By the end of the day, my brain was so full I had trouble grasping new concepts. Perhaps the intense lectures could be in the a.m. when we're fresh and the hands-on in the p.m.
- I would like a little more background reading-basic refresher material that I could go over at home.
- Professors need to be able to understand what is important for different grade levels. Some material on Tues - DNA was over my head BUT maybe usefule for another grade level. So, I am not sure if there is another way to handle that. I learned a great deal through this workshop and plan to use the pond study and physics portion with my classes.
- All were terrific!
- None. Very well organized and presented.
- So much was useful, however I would have liked materials to be presented (when appropriate) at grade level - ie 6th grade meet, 7th grade meet, etc.
- "Simpler" explanations of some concepts especially for those of us teaching 6th grade.
- Focus on topics covered by specific grade levels.
General suggestions?
- More Workshops!!!
- More simple experiments to support data across the curriculum and everyday life.
- I was on overload most of the week, my head was reeling from all the information. An entire week just on physics would be awesome. An entire week on genetics or an entire week on aquatic studies would help me retain information. I want to know more about things we just touched briefly in class.
- I would like to see an approach to using various pieces of equipment for specific topics such as motion, inclined planes, pulleys, rocks & minerals, heat, gases.
- I can't think of anything I would suggest that you change. I probably learned more and am going away from the workshop with more, than I have in any previous workshop experience. I am also feeling much more positive about teaching science.
- Terrific workshop! Lots of different modes & methods of learning. The presenters were terrific. They showed a lot of enthusiasm & were very knowledgeable. Wow!
- More labs in Chemistry - Mixing of chemicals geared for 6-8 grades.
- Maybe one whole day at Kenyon; possibly allowing us to perform a lab using the equipment.
- More time for Powerpoint for Dummies!
- Great use of time and concepts.
- I would like more direct proficiency strands addressed - even pond safety is important and part of a proficiency strand.
- A consistent break time a.m. and p.m. would help with general fatigue.
What additional equipment would you like to have to assist you in teaching science at the middle school?
- A computer projecter would be great not only for the physics software, but also for powerpoint presentations.
- More fieldguides - so there can be a set in each classroom
- I discovered I don't know what's here already. A saw equipment from closets I had never seen before! I'll have to investigate further before I answer this!
- Materials and moedls to use in teaching motion.
- Wading boots.
- Chemicals for Chemistry experiements; more equipment in physic that can be used as demonstrations; light magnets, sound & gravity, etc.
- New Vande Graff generator; selection of new-updated science videos across the curriculum; updated glassware sets.
- Not sure really on what is available.
- Software, projector devcies, additional slides for the microscopes, educational videos.
- DNA beads/corn/model.
- Projected used in the physics presentation. More samples for mitosis.
- 5 binoculars were ordered. Probably need 5 more for effective use in a class.
- Dropping/Trajectory device.
Please comment on your use of equipment previously purchased for the middle school by HHMI grants.
- We have used the microscopes & videoflex cameras on a regular basis. The students really get a lot out of seeing things on the TV & then locating them on their own microscope. Also, all of the rocks & minerals, maps & geology related materials have benefited the students.
- I love using the flexcam. It makes entire class explanations/demos so much better & easier for students
to see and understand. Microscopes.
- I am not sure which equipment HH provided but I've used the goggles, the microscopes, test tubes
and racks, flasks.
- I use the microscopes and flexcam more than anyother pieces of equipment.
- The students really enjoy the flexcam. We use it for different activities, focus on mold & fungi. We use the microscopes & prepared slides to study microscopic organisms. I use the sink/demo table for class demo.
- Flex cams-Great! Microscopes.
- Flex cams - great advantage; Recently purchased electric kits will put into use this year.
- Very useful; overhead flexcam; telescopes; mineral ident. Kits.
- Winshurst & Vande Graaf are excellent ex of static elec.
- Overhead flexcam and microscopes are used by the 7th grade teachers.
- Flexcam - excellent for viewing mossen close up durnig our unit on plants-aids in explanation of
reproduction. Also for viewing molds.
- The microscopes have been very useful. I have also used the flexcam and the demonstration table.
If adding comments related to questions 1 through 8 from the first page, please indicate the number of the questions you are referring to.
- Wow! Your knowledge of the subject matter blew me away. I wish I had the sophistication and depth to teach this all to my classes. I am taking a physics course and a math course next summer to help my knowledge base. I feel totally inadequate after this week. Thanks for all your time, preparation and energy.
- I am in awe.
- Great workshop - very beneficial. I would appreciate continuing yearly.
- Discussions in all areas were very digestible- even with sensitive issues. Most teachers were very engaged at all times. More workshops.