Exceptional science presentation (1)

1. EXCEPTIONAL
SCIENCE
PROGRAM
James Chalmers
Class of 2021

2. WHAT ARE EXCEPTIONAL
SCIENCE LABS?
FUTURE OF THE PROGRAM
Our goal for the program is to continue to be
able to improve activities, differentiate
learning opportunities for all ability levels, and
provide the students with engaging lessons &
standards-driven science for many years to
come.
“I am currently in the process of attempting to
formalize everything I have learned since I
started these labs, so hopefully we will have a
full curriculum planned out for future years.
This is my third year being a part of this, and
my second year being in charge, and it has
been a great joy to be a part of.”
James Chalmers, Class of 2021
BACKGROUND
The Exceptional Science program is
Lambert’s interactive, hands-on, science
program for students with
cognitive/developmental disabilities.
Lambert has had a specialized instruction
class for students with
cognitive/developmental disabilities since
it’s opening in 2009. In 2009 we began
implementing the idea and interaction of
the Exceptional Science Lab. Each year we
have set to improve its design and delivery
to meet the learning and social needs of our
students.
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3. STUDENT & TEACHER
INVOLVEMENT
Student Program Participation
- Lab Assistants - Scientific Research (Core Elective Course)
- Peer Facilitators - Elective Course
Science Education Consult
- Dr. Cantrell - Science Department Chair
Special Education Consult
- Mrs. Nicoletti - Exceptional Students Program Coordinator
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4. TIMELINE OF IMPLEMENTATION
4

5. STANDARDS USED
Our school follows the Georgia Alternative Assessment
Standards, and these labs use the biology and physical
science standards.
Something that helps us address the standards better is
the 3:5 ratio of peer facilitators to students, which means
we can make the labs even more hands-on and teach more
in-depth, while addressing social skills and multi-step
directions.
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6. GAA COURSE STANDARDS
SPS6e - pH of household
products
Is the color of gold, butter and
ripe lemons. In the spectrum
of visible light, yellow is found
between green and orange.
SB1a - cell
structures/function
Is the colour of the clear sky
and the deep sea. It is located
between violet and green on
the optical spectrum.
SB5b, d, & e - flow of energy
and human impact
Is the color of blood, and
because of this it has
historically been associated
with sacrifice, danger and
courage.
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SPS8b - Newton’s Laws
Is the colour of the clear sky
and the deep sea. It is located
between violet and green on
the optical spectrum.
SPS8d - benefits of simple
machines
Is the color of blood, and
because of this it has
historically been associated
with sacrifice, danger and
courage.

7. LIFE SKILLS
- Social Skills
- Language Processing
- Multi-step Directions
- Problem Solving
- Language/Communication Implementation
- Following Directions (Verbal & Written)
- Working Collaboratively
- Working Independently
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8. FACILITATING OBSERVATION &
RECORDING OF DATA
❑ Something new we decided to try this year is having
the students maintain a lab notebook throughout the
entire school year.
❑ For every lab we do, the students receive a document
which they complete and then keep in their lab
notebook. This aids in the development of
organizational skills, guided independent form-
completion, following directions, and the ability to
review content as needed.
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9. 9
Lab Notebook
Sample Student Work
Artifact #1

10. 10
Lab Notebook
Sample Student Work
Artifact #2

11. 11
Lab Notebook
Sample Student Work
Artifact #3

12. 12
Lab Notebook
Sample Student Work
Artifact #4

13. 13
Student
responses to
“What is your
favorite
lab/favorite part
of lab?”.

14. 14
2017-2018

15. 15
2018-2019

16. 2019-2020