Mini-Grant Application for School Year 2017-2018

Submitted by: Melissa Ingram Email: Ingramm2@leonschools.net Grade Level: 9-12 Subject: Science, math
Co-Applicant:Angela Breza-Pierce Email: bp@leonschools.netGrade level: 9-12 Subject: Environmental Science

School: Lawton Chiles High School Type: Public Grade Levels:9-12 County:Leon

Approx. Enrollment: 2100 Number of teachers:85

School Address:

7200 Lawton Chiles Lane
Tallahassee, FL 32312

Phone: 8504881756 Principal:Joe Burgess Email: burgessj@leonschools.net

Project Title: Science and Flexible Learning Spaces
Project Dates: Jan, 2018-May, 2018 Grade Levels:

Focus Area(s) :science- math- technology -

Abstract:
A more accurate title for this proposal would be PRISM: Portable Research in Science and Math. Students will use 2 in 1 devices (laptop and tablet hybrids), scientific probe ware and statistical software to collect data about their local environment, specifically in the school garden and detention pond. Students will then analyze the data to determine if there are any issues with pollution or nutrient deficiencies and explore ways to improve the condition of these environments. This project is a collaborative effort between the math and science departments and results will be shared with the school community and Tallahassee community at large.

Proposal:

How is your project innovative?   (25 points)
PRISM – Portable Research in Science and Math is a collaborative effort between science and math teachers and students at Lawton Chiles High School to utilize skills directly related to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum to observe the impact students have on their immediate environment and to improve scores on their advanced placement (AP) and end of course (EOC) exams. Students will collect data using probe ware and 2 in 1 devices. Probe ware is the general term used for probes, sensors and software that connect to a computer to make scientific measurements. Initially, classroom experiments will familiarize students with the proper procedure for collecting and downloading the data. Then the learning environment will move outdoors to collect data from the garden and pond areas on campus. They will then analyze the data to note any environmental issues within the pond or garden habitat and make suggestions for prevention or correcting issues. To the best of our knowledge, this is a unique project that encourages students to focus on their own school environment. This allows students to see the impact of their daily habits on their immediate environment.

How will it fit into your curriculum (include standards)? (10 points)
This project will interweave science and math curriculum. As required by the science and society standards, students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the interdependence of living things in the environment and understand the consequences human actions on environmental systems. Relying on the practice of science, they will pose questions about the natural world, plan and conduct systematic observations, use tools to gather, analyze and interpret data, make inferences and communicate results. The process of data analysis will help students understand and evaluate processes underlying statistical experiments, construct models to solve problems and make inferences and justify conclusions from sample surveys, experiments and observational studies. The goal of this project is to use data collection and analysis skills to see their impact on their school environment using observation supported by technology.

How will it encourage long-lasting change in your classroom, school or community? (20 points)
With this project we hope to hone our efforts in producing environmentally conscious citizens who can analyze and solve real work problems. The skills required to observe their immediate environment can be applied to their city, state and world at large. We also hope to increase the opportunities to use technology in the science and math classrooms by giving more teachers experience using probe ware and having access to updated technology and software not currently available for student use. The 2 in 1 devices also allow students to work on group projects in more flexible spaces. We eventually plan to purchase more devices to be housed in a flexible learning space in the school library so they are accessible to the school community at large.

How will technology be utilized?  (20 points)
The science department has probe ware that can be used to measure temperature, oxygen levels, motion etc. Teachers who are familiar with and comfortable using these devices will provide in house professional development to train others in the department. 2 in 1 devices will be purchased using grant funds to allow students to collect and analyze data. These flexible table/laptop combination devices along with probe ware allow students to work in groups simulating a real world work environment. Students will be working through their classes held throughout the day with teachers rotating use of the devices. This allows an average of 4 students per group to work together. (average class size 30/8 devices) The portability of the devices allows data collection to take place anywhere on campus including classroom laboratories and "in the field". Follow up analysis in groups will occur in the school library or classroom using purchased statistical software.

What evidence will you collect to show student gain?   (10 points)
AP or EOC exams scores will be compared with prior years. We expect to see a 2% increase in the AP Environmental Science and Statistics exams as well as the Biology EOC. A pre and post survey of students will measure their interest and ability to understand their impact on their immediate environment before and after the analysis.

How will participants share your project results with the community?  (15 points)
Activities will be recorded (photos and videos) and shared with the school-wide community on our in-house Wolfcenter Studios news production to encourage students to be better environmental citizens. This ties in directly with our school wide initiative to reject, reduce, reuse and recycle. Further, we will invite Chris Petley, the Leon County School Board’s Communication’s Coordinator to document student activities for broadcast on the LCS network. Finally, we will work with local environment agencies such as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Game and Fish Commission to provide guest speakers as well as publicize the study and results in the local media.

Budget:

I, Melissa Ingram, certify that the application is complete and final, AND I verify that I have received permission to apply for these funds from Joe Burgess,the Principal of Lawton Chiles High School and any other individuals required by my school district.

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