Children are naturally inquisitive about the world around them. ASSET activities nurture that innate curiosity by engaging students in an interactive, hands-on exploration of the world of biology using safe, easily manipulated live Tetrahymena. Each module introduces students to a core biological concept using an interactive approach that involves scientific observation, manipulation of experimental materials, and evaluation of results. Each module is a stand-alone unit that comes with information relating the content to core concepts and, and is supported by an equipment lending library that can provide teachers at under-resourced schools with the materials needed to carry out the modules. Comprehensive teacher guides and detailed student handouts are provided for each module to facilitate classroom implementation.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will be introduced to ASSET and will conduct modified lab activities to see how ASSET can be used in the classroom to address topics like microscope use, cell parts and processes (phagocytosis & osmolarity), and the effects of smoking, vaping, and alcohol on living cells.

SPEAKERS:
Courtney Hausner (Teacher), Anne Deken (John Burroughs School: St. Louis, MO), Alexandra Forgerson (Instructional Specialist: University City, MO)

This presentation disperses the published findings of the science standards and science content research for including the lived experiences and narratives of African American Gullan/Geechee and Black heritage, and situates the lived experiences and narratives of Black people in the science curriculum content. The author has created lessons and implemented these by looking at the pre- and post- changes in students’ understandings of the nature of science. This particular presentation shares and unpacks these science standards and provides resources that can be used to carry out these activities. Multimedia products have been used as an engaging context to lead inquiry explorations using best practices in science education pedagogy, such as argumentation. This work provides takeaways that bridge theory and practice in science education. For example, framing includes, but is not limited to, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Understanding by Design to show the thinking and rationale.

TAKEAWAYS:
Practical inclusive science standards that benefit all and considers best practices in science education pedagogy. A different way of thinking about inclusion by considering how we approach the science content and what science content is included.

SPEAKERS:
Catherine Quinlan (Howard University)