Profile | NSTA

Michael Aprill
Sheboygan South High School
WI

My NSTA / Peers / Michael Aprill

I have been a science teacher for 24 years and I am a Nationally Board Certified Science Teacher (NBCT). I have a B.S. Biology with minor in Captive Wildlife Management. Masters in Curriculum & Instruction. My doctorate is in Educational Sustainability. My research focus has been the impact of climate change on culture. I have continued to publish in the field of climate disruption & education. Currently I'm working to be involved in sustainability initiatives that are local, regional, national, & global. I primarily teach geology, astronomy, & physics. I recently developed dual credit courses in Earth Hazards, and Sustainability.

Public Collections
Recent Public Collections by Michael

Misconceptions in Astronomy

These articles discuss various astronomy related misconceptions of students.

4 Resources

View Collection

Share
Share on Facebook
Tweet This
Email to a Friend

View all public collections by Michael
Forum Posts
Recent Posts by Michael

Thu, May 11, 2023 8:49 PM in Trip to Mars?

I didn't realize Mary Roach had a book on this topic. Is this the same author of Stiff?

View Full Post

Thu, May 11, 2023 8:47 PM in Engaging Students in Science

I teach high school astronomy, but perhaps you can take something from my two philosophies on this. This could easily be adapted to other grade levels or areas of science. 1) Guage your student interest and incorporate science based on the interest that year. Each year, what interest my students changes. For example, in 2022 and 2023 it was the Artemis missions, our next set of ...

View Full Post

Thu, May 11, 2023 8:32 PM in NGSS Crosscutting Concepts

Mollie, here is a nice article on integrating crosscutting concepts into teaching: https://www.nsta.org/science-and-children/science-and-childr...concepts-0 It uses garbage, what kid doesn't love looking through garbage. They get to practice patterns AND systems & system models. Mike

View Full Post

View all posts by Michael
Reviews
Recent Reviews by Michael

Wed, May 10, 2023 9:41 AM
Nice connection to NGSS

This article is well done and has a nice connection to the NGSS. Although discussed in terms of middle school NGSS standards, it can easily be applicable to high school level courses. The article provides a nice background on Pluto & it's history. Some key points the article addresses with this topic as related to the NGSS include the following: 1) Using argument to show how science and scientific knowledge are tentative and subject to change based on current scientific knowledge & thinking. Science is not absolute. And competing ideas can co-exist. This provides students an opportunity to engage in engineering practices. 2) Crossing cutting concepts such as scale, patterns, proportion, quantity, structure/function, & systems / models. Also includes classification within natural systems. 3) Allows students to use Claim, Evidence, & Reasoning as well as build speaking and listening skills. Scientists try to persuade others based on evidence.

View all reviews by Michael