Kristie Guiliano of New Lab and FP Dance and Theater Specialist Justin Greer shared an interdisciplinary 2nd grade unit called Human Circuitry. This unit brings together dance and technology to better understand the science concept of electrical circuits. The experiential workshop allowed participants to physically engage in the same art-making processes as our students, integrating choreographic composition while interacting with an invented technology that allows their bodies to complete an electrical circuit. This STEAM-focused unit is a model for collaboration, from both the student and teacher perspectives.

 

Science teacher Evie Harrison and Director of Libraries Christy Payne also presented a workshop at the PEN Conference entitled “Empowering Students to Evaluate Popular Media” based on an assignment they co-teach on science literacy. This project, part of the 7th grade curriculum, focuses on how students evaluate and use popular sources for science news. Students then trace the science behind the news to the original study using scholarly sources and evaluate that as well. After a critical analysis of the source and the science, students take on the role of a newscaster to accurately report on current science news that is of interest to them.