EdPsy490 TER:  Technology and Educational Reform
Major Project: Stage 2
Option 1:  Educational Reform Proposal
Tamara Barcalow
Stage 1 - background
The following is a rough draft of the 2 page application for the Toshiba America Foundation Small Grants Program for K-6 Science and Math Education.  The actual application is a PDF file that can be downloaded, viewed and printed with Adobe Acrobat.  The application must be typed on the printed page or reproduced on a computer using minimum of 11-point to create an application of equal length.

page 1
Ms. Tamara Barcalow
Teacher (Title, First Name, Last Name) 		 tbarcalo@abelink.com
Teacher's Email Address (if available)
Northwest Elementary School
School Name
506 -11th Street
School Mailing Address
Lincoln
City 		 IL
State		 62656 
Zip
217-732-6819
School Phone		 N/A
School Fax
Mr. Eldon Broster
School Principal 
Principal's Phone (if different from above)
Batteries and Bulbs:  They're Electrifying!
Project Title (brief)
4th Grade                 40-50
Project Grade(s)    No. of Children 		 1/2/01                                                            2/1/01
Project Start Date (No earlier 11/15/00)    End Date (No later 5/15/01)
Magnets and Electricity
Science/Math Subject Matter to be Learned

Please describe the following in the space provided:
 

  • Student Learning Objectives (This section may be too long to fit the given space.)

    •     After having reviewed the NSTA suggested standards and the Illinois State Board of Education Science Standards, I have decided on several main objectives.  Students will be able to apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.  Students will be able to apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design including assessment of the test results and the effectiveness of the design using given criteria and noting possible sources of error.  Students will be able to describe electrical energy.  Students will be able to demonstrate and explain ways that forces such as magnets cause actions and reactions.  Students will be able to apply the accepted practices of science such as safety and recording data.
  • Methods of Instruction

    •     For this electricity and magnetism unit, the text book and the teacher will only be used as resources.  Students will work together in groups of three.  Activities will be hands on and inquiry based.  For example, students will be given the materials and asked to find ways to light the bulb.  The groups will be required to record what works and what doesn't work.  After a given amount of time, the class will regroup and discuss their results.
  • Project Timeline

    •     Because I expect the students to be excited about the unit, I plan to cover the material during a generally slower time of the year.  The unit will begin when school resumes January 2, 2001.  There are several nonattendance days during the month.  I expect the unit to take about 16-20 days.  We will finish studying the material between January 25 and February 1.
     
  • Method of Evaluation

    •     Assessment will take several forms.  Throughout the unit, I plan on assessing the students as they work in groups and when they work alone.  I also plan on using authentic assessment as students will be asked to create a project using the knowledge they gained during the unit.
     
     
     


    page 2

    BUDGET
    List items to be purchased and their costs. Combine like items so that there are no more than six categories.
    How will the hands-on material listed in the budget above be used?
     
    1) 1 Electricty & Magnetism Cluster with guide $ 129.98                         
    2) 7 Electricty & Magnetism Clusters ($119.98 each) $ 839.86 
    3 $
    4 $
    5 $
    6 $
    TOTAL REQUEST (may not exceed $1,000) $ 969.84

    How will the hands-on material listed in the budget above be used?
        The clusters will provide materials for 24 students in groups of three to investigate static electrictiy and positively and negatively charged objects, to explore how electricty is transferred through the use of conductors and circuits, to investigate magnetic materials and polar strength, and to discover the properties of magnetic attraction and create a rotating motor.  The materials will be used for two classes of students a day.
     

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