Mini-Grant Application for School Year Old Kings Eleme

Submitted by: Kim Weeks Email: weeksk@flaglerschools.com Grade Level: K-6 Subject: science and technology
Co-Applicant: Email: Grade level: Subject:

School: Old Kings Elementary School Type: Public Grade Levels:K-6 County:Flagler

Approx. Enrollment: 1338 Number of teachers:72 % of Free and Reduced Lunch:52.3%

School Address:

301 Old Kings Rd. S Flagler Beach, Florida 32136

Phone: 3865172060 Principal:Ben Osypian Email: osypianb@flaglerschools.com

Project Title: Augmented Reality Ocean Adventures
Project Dates: March 2017-ongoing Grade Levels:

Focus Area(s) :science- geography- augmented reality technology - environmental sustainability

Abstract:
Technology can take our students places they wouldn’t be able to visit otherwise. By creating an augmented reality virtual world in our school, our students will have the opportunity to visit various types of environments including the ocean, freshwater lake ecosystems, and other habitats or biomes. Our school recently embarked on a marine science flagship program, helping students learn more about careers in marine science and environmental studies. Although our school is located within 10 minutes of Flagler Beach, many of our students have not had the opportunity to experience the ocean, or learn about marine science prior to this initiative. We are seeking funds from the TERRA grant organization in order to purchase materials and build an Augmented Reality sandbox, which will be featured in our Marine Science Augmented Reality learning space. The model for this sandbox (complete with video and detailed instructions) can be found here: https://arsandbox.ucdavis.edu/. Additionally, we are requesting funds for 3 Apple iPod Touches (6th Generation) and 3 Mattel View-Master Virtual Reality starter packs. These devices will allow students to explore the ocean and other water ecosystems using virtual reality, while making observations and inferences about our natural world.

Proposal:
o How is your project innovative? (25 points) This project will provide students with experiences that wouldn’t be possible without the technology. By facilitating both augmented and virtual reality experiences, in addition to hands-on equipment, our school will be transformed into a virtual underwater laboratory. While the original augmented reality sandbox has been utilized in several museums, our sandbox will not only allow for student exploration, but also for standards-based lessons that will provide students with real world examples of topics they are learning. These lessons will extend and enhance their science curriculum by allowing students to create, explore, and better comprehend topics such as landforms, water cycles, ecosystems, weathering and erosion, marine life, and environmental sustainability. Beyond this grant opportunity, our vision is to create a virtual classroom in our library media center, where students will interact with augmented reality aquarium walls and floor spaces. This will allow the students to virtually ripple the water, encounter ocean plants and animals, and observe marine life in their natural habitat. o How will it fit into your curriculum (include standards)? (10 points) This grant will engage kindergarten through sixth grade students in Florida State Science Standards focusing on a variety of earth and life sciences. For example, in grades K-4, the standards (SC.K.N.1.1, SC.1.N.1.1, SC.2.N.1.1, SC.3.N.1.1, SC.4.N.1.1) ask students to raise questions about the natural world, investigate them individually and in teams, through free exploration and systematic investigations, and generate appropriate explanations based on those explorations. This can be achieved using both our augmented reality sandbox and ViewMaster Virtual Reality devices by providing students with virtual ocean habitats to explore. Additionally, the Real Underwater Live Streaming Cam app will allow students to explore underwater habitats up close and in real-time. Some other standards that will be addressed are… S.K.G.3.1 Identify basic landforms and SS.K.G.1.4 Differentiate land and water features on simple maps and globes- students will learn about landforms by exploring the virtual sandbox, and placing flags to label the various landforms to demonstrate their understanding. SC.1.E.6.1 Recognize that water, rocks, soil, and living organism are found on Earth’s surfaces.- Students will explore the virtual sandbox and virtual reality apps, categorizing the types of rocks, soil, and living organisms that they find. Students will also identify the body of water that is in the closest proximity. SC.2.P.8.4, SC.5.E.7.1, and SC.5.E.7.2 Recognize that the ocean is an integral part of the water cycle and is connected to all of Earth’s water reservoirs via evaporation and precipitation processes. Observe and describe water in its solid, liquid, and gaseous states.- Students will explore the water cycle to learn about evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Students will investigate how we can conserve water, and prevent pollution. SC.3.N.1.6 Infer based on observation and as changes occur with weathering and erosion, SC.4.E.6.4 Describe basic differences between physical weathering (breaking down of rock by gravity, wind, water, and ice). Students make inferences about why changes occur while exploring the concept of physical weathering. Students will engineer ways to prevent erosion in the sandbox, and apply this knowledge to solve real-world problems. SS.6.E.6.2 Recognize that there are a variety of different landforms on Earth’s surface such as coastlines, dunes, rivers, mountains, glaciers, deltas, and relate these landforms as they apply to Florida. Students will explore the virtual sandbox to learn how landforms are created. Using these standards, the media specialist will design and implement lesson plans for teachers to utilize. These ongoing lessons can be replicated and enhanced throughout the year. Subsequently, the teachers can contribute to this lesson plan toolbox to further develop these learning opportunities. o How will it encourage long-lasting change in your classroom, school or community? (20 points) Students will be immersed in activities that explore various careers in marine and life sciences, as well as real-world opportunities. Each year, students will visit the virtual underwater laboratory and engage in standards-based lessons that will increase in complexity and build on the knowledge gained in previous grade levels. Students will increase their knowledge of marine life substantially. Additionally they will work with the general Nature of Science standards of observation, investigating, sorting and classifying, and making inferences. Our students will have the opportunity to video conference with real-world professionals in marine and life sciences. Students will be able to use their knowledge learned in the lab to relate to their conversations with these scientists. o How will technology be utilized? (20 points) Students will utilize the augmented reality sandbox, which is connected to a short throw projector and the Microsoft Kinect camera. Students will learn how to create volcanoes, rain, and explore landforms in the virtual sandbox, learning more about augmented reality in the process. Students will further explore the ocean and water habitats by accessing virtual reality apps on the iPod Touches using the Mattel Viewmaster. For example, the Viewmaster Discovery Underwater app will provide students with opportunities to virtually swim through tropical coral reefs, icy arctic waters, and deep sea adventures. In addition, the Real Underwater Live Streaming Cam app lets students observe live streaming video of real coral, hundreds of fresh and saltwater fish, sea turtles, and more. Later, as students have more experience with augmented reality, they will create their own game that can project on the wall, using software such as Lumo Play. o What evidence will you collect to show student gain? In order to show student gain, students will be asked to complete an anticipation guide to serve as a pre and post assessment for each lesson. Additionally, we will compare science scores from the 5th grade Florida State Assessment in Science for the 2016-2017 and the 2017-2018 school year, continuing this annual comparison for subsequent years of the project. We expect upward trends on the 5th grade assessment as students are provided more access to the underwater lab each year. o How will participants share your project results with the community? (15 points) Our school hosts a community STEAM night inviting parents, families, and community members to visit our virtual underwater laboratory. Students will act as marine ambassadors as they teach their parents, siblings, family, and community members about marine life and water ecosystems. Additionally, teachers will have the opportunity to partner with other classrooms across Flagler County School District and share about each school’s career focus (flagship). Students will create presentations and virtual field trips that highlight the underwater lab.

Budget:

I, Kim Weeks, certify that the application is complete and final, AND I verify that I have received permission to apply for these funds from Ben Osypian,the Principal of Old Kings Elementary School and any other individuals required by my school district.