This document provides guidance for scientists who want to bring their research into K-12 classrooms. It outlines why scientists should visit classrooms, how to plan a classroom visit by considering logistics, activities and materials, what to know about different grade levels, tips for the classroom visit and follow up. Scientists are encouraged to make their research real and exciting for students through hands-on activities and demonstrations. Proper planning with the teacher is emphasized to ensure classroom visits are engaging and age-appropriate.

1. Bringing Science to SchoolA Guide to Assist Scientists in Bringing Their Research Into K-12 ClassroomsMarti Canipe (mcanipe@nsf.org)Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow 2009-2010NSF – Office of Polar Programs

2. OutlineWhy should I visit a K-12 classroom?Planning Your VisitWhat do I need to know about ____ graders?The Big DayAfter the Visit

3. Why should I visit a K-12 classroom?65% of Americans can’t name a living scientist (Source: Your Congress-Your Health Survey, June 2009)Take science out of the textbook and make it real for studentsBring an extra element of excitement about science to a classroom

4. Planning Your VisitLogisticsActivitiesMaterials

5. Planning Your Visit - LogisticsHow many students are in the class?How long is the class?What are the school’s procedures for visitors? Parking, visitor badges, etc.

6. Planning Your Visit - ActivitiesWhat background knowledge will the students have about your subject?If there is vocabulary that they should understand prior to your visit, provide it to the teacher.Active learning and hands-on activities are bestKeep introductions short: 5-10 minutesSmall group activities are preferableActivities in a classroom will almost always take longer than you think they willLeave enough time for wrap-up discussionsDiscuss your planned activity with the teacher. They will be able to give you advice on what will work best.

7. Planning Your Visit - MaterialsAsk the teacher what materials and equipment are availableRemember to ask about audio-visual equipment if you plan to use these in your presentationRemember safety equipment (gloves, goggles, etc.) that might be required for your activityBe prepared to bring everything you might need with youAsk how many sets of materials and/or handouts you will need for hands-on activities

8. What do I need to know about ____ graders?Ask their teacher for information about where they are developmentallyThere are general developmental stages, but each child reaches them at a different timeK-2: direct experiences, time to explore3-5: starting to use logic, concrete thinkers, beginning to be able to think about abstractions6-8: moving into more abstract thinking and being able to generalize events into principles9-12: abstract thinking and generalization skills are much more developed

9. The Big DayIntroduce yourself: Share something about what you do and how you became interested in scienceCapture their interest with a demo or short activityAsk questions to stimulate thinking – be sure to practice wait time (3 sec) after you ask a questionRelate what you are doing to something they are familiar with in “real life”

10. After the VisitBe available for follow-up questions if at all possible – share your email addressIf possible, invite the class to visit your lab or field site.

11. Need ideas?Google your topic and lesson plansYou will find lots of ideas, beware that while there are lots of great lesson ideas on the Internet, there are also some not so great onesCheck the following websites:http://www.thinkfinity.org/http://www.pbs.org/teachers/http://www.science-house.org/learn/index.htmlhttp://www.teachersdomain.org/

12. Get Involved: National Lab Day (www.nationallabday.org)

13. Bringing Science to School – Planning ActivityTopic: ___________________________________________________

14. Resources and ReferencesAppleton, Ken. "Analysis and Description of Students' Learning during Science Classes Using a Constructivist-Based Model." Journal of Research in Science Teaching 34.3 (1997): 303-18. Print."Benchmarks Online ~ Project 2061 ~ AAAS." AAAS - Project 2061. Web. 02 Nov. 2009. <http://www.project2061.org/publications/bsl/online/index.php>Burd, Gail D. "Brain Awareness Week." Society for Neuroscience. Web. 02 Nov. 2009. <http://www.sfn.org/baw/tips_visiting.cfm>."GK-12 Earth Project Research and Discovery." The University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. <http://web.utk.edu/~gk12/research.html>.Kranz, Bob, Ed Roy, Laura Zahm, Ann Benbow, Colin Mably, Laura M. Rios, and Jason Betzner. "Visiting Geoscientists - An Outreach Guide for Geoscience Professionals." American Geological Institute - Serving the Geosciences Since 1948. Web. 21 Sept. 2009. <http://www.agiweb.org/education/aapg>."National Lab Day." National Lab Day. Web. 19 Jan. 2010. <http://www.nationallabday.org/>."National Science Education Standards." The National Academies Press. Web. 02 Nov. 2009. <http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=4962>."NCMLS Survival Guide for Scientists." National Optical Astronomy Observatory. Web. 02 Nov. 2009. <http://www.noao.edu/education/ncmlssg.html>."Your Congress-Your Health 111 Poll." Research!America. Web. 02 Nov. 2009. <http://www.researchamerica.org/resource_library/topic:4/type:0>.