Science/Math/EdTech Integration for a Sustainable World

Outline

This is a virtual session (50 mins.)

1. Introduction (5 minutes)
Brief overview on the environmental topics to be presented and how they can be enhanced with digital tools for in-person learning and/or homework.

2. Activity: Panther Hunt (15 minutes)
The facilitator will lead participants in a simulation of carrying capacity in nature with panthers in a model habitat hunting for food. The digital game board enables participants to follow instructions acting as a panther and assessing cause and effect connections with the rest of the group.

3. Activity: More or Less – Participants engage in a concept-mapping activity using interactive digital tools (created with a Google Slide) and working in collaborative groups. (10 mins)

4. Activity: Mining for Chocolate – Participants engage in a simulation “mining” digital chocolate chip cookies (created with Google Slides) to discover possible impacts of mining operations. They will then compare each "miner's" outcomes. (15 mins)

5. Discussion and Wrap-Up – Participants reflect on how the activities can be used within their an inclusive elementary classroom. (5 mins.)

Outcomes

• Enhance instruction of elementary science and mathematics around environmental themes that implement digital tools and collaborative digital games and simulations.
• Use Google Workspace tools as part of interdisciplinary activities where students work in groups for problem solving and collaborative data analysis.
• Help students use digital tools to further their understanding and exploration of ecological themes with activities that are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Supporting research

Population Education. (2024). Counting on People: K-5 Activities for Global Citizenship.

National Research Council of the National Academies (2012). A Framework for K-12 Science Education.

The content and skills developed in the activities are supported by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for elementary grades, especially the Disciplinary Core Ideas for “Earth and Human Activities (ESS3) and Ecosystems (LS2). The content is also supported by the C3 Framework from the National Council for the Social Studies, as well as Common Core Standards for Mathematics.