Introduction
Kenyon College faculty worked together with teachers of the Mount Vernon Middle School to design a workshop on teaching hands-on science to students in grades 6, 7 and 8.  The teacher participants in the workshop included seven 6th grade teachers, four 7th grade, three 8th grade, and the challenge program teacher (gifted students) for all three grades.

Schedule for the week

Three subject areas were defined, based on interest of students and teachers, and based on the needs of the curriculum and standardized tests:

• The ecology of the retention pond behind the new middle school building.  The retention pond sits at the edge of a wetland with a fascinatingly diverse ecosystem with great potential for extended study with middle-school students.  Teachers learned chemical and biological methods of investigation.  The role of evolution in natural environments was explored.
• Cell biology, genetics and evolution.  Cells were observed under the microscope, including the process of mitosis.  Teachers used Mendelian inheritance software and DNA models to demonstrate genetics and natural selection in ways accessible to students.
• Physics of motion and visualization.  A video capture system was installed and teachers received training on how to demonstrate laws of motion in the classroom.  A telescope was constructed, in a session easily replicated by students.

Assessment -- see below

Pond Ecology Investigation
The ecology of the retention pond was studied using Accumet chemical meters and surveying techniques.  The Accumet meters measure temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO).  In addition to chemical parameters, living organisms of the pond were observed using microscopes purchased by Kenyon's previous grant, HHMI 1996.  A wide range of organisms were observed and identified, including flagellates, algae, nematodes and water fleas.  Outside the pond, a variety of plant life was identified, including grasses and wetland trees.

The teacher participants developed hypotheses as to fluctuations of these chemical parameters in the pond over the course of the week, and over daily cycles.  Each group of three teachers selected a hypothesis and designed an investigation over the week of the workshop.  On the last day of the workshop, each teacher presented a Power Point slide show on their project.
 

The retention pond behind the middle school.

The probe is lowered into the pond to test  pH and oxygen at varying depths.

Staking out an ecosystem to census organisms.

Projects by Teacher Participants

Cattail Caper

pH and Depth

Dissolved Oxygen

Temperature & pH

Temperature & DO

Chromosomes undergoing mitosis were observed under the microscope.  Mitosis was observed in onion root tip, fish embryos, and human blood cells.

Participants observed the results of mono- and dihybrid crosses of corn breeds showing Mendelian inheritance of traits.  Statistical analysis was performed to determine whether the actual results deviated from predicted ratios.
 

Count kernels from the F2 hybrid. Is the ratio 3:1?  Why might it deviate?

Click to download.  Select wild flowers to perform crosses.  Explain inheritance of  traits.

Human Genetics On-line Mendelian Inheritance in Man Search to find an inherited disease. The Human Genome Browse genes of interest on human chromosomes. Mouse-Human Homology Map.  Find genes we share with mice through evolution.

For more complex inheritance effects, the Flowers program was introduced: a computer simulation of flower breeding, showing polygenic traits and incomplete dominance.  This program is made freely available by Kenyon, with permission of the author, Dyann Schmidel.

Finally, the teacher participants spent an afternoon at Kenyon College touring the science labs, running a DNA electrophoresis gel, and exploring genetic databases on line.  The genetic databases were used to demonstrate the evolutionary relationship between all biological organisms, including for example humans and mice.  The concept of "model systems" to study inherited diseases was presented in the context of evolution of genomes.

Participants each built a telescope, based on "The Frugal Telescope Maker."  The telescopes can function at home or in the classroom. 

Placing the lens into a telescope.

The telescopes are ready to try out.

"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!"

"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."

"I was on overload most of the week, my head was reeling from all the information.  I want to know more about things we just touched briefly in class."

"More simple experiments to support data across the curriculum and everyday life."

"Maybe one whole day at Kenyon; possibly allowing us to perform a lab using the equipment."