Primary Source Use in STEM Education Prosthetic Limbs

Primary Source Use in STEM Education: Prosthetic Limbs Josh Pfiester, Ed. D Dalton State College Georgia Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference Coastal Georgia Center, Savannah, GA March 3 -4, 2017

Plan Background What Are Primary Sources? Why Primary Sources in STEM? Primary Source Resources available via the Lo. C Primary Source Analysis Activity Prosthetic Arm Activity Questions/Comments

Background Library of Congress Summer Teacher Institute: Science, Technology, and Engineering Focus. Washington, D. C. June 20 -24, 2016. Teach Elementary Science Methods to pre-service teachers at Dalton State College.

What Are Primary Sources? Primary sources: original artifacts based on direct observation that can used to understand an event or time period in terms of historical, scientific, economic, cultural, and mathematical thinking. Include photos, diaries and journals, musical recordings, and first-hand newspaper accounts. But also include electronic communication (such as emails and text messages) and furniture. How can textbooks be primary sources? In a study of how science textbooks portrayed women scientists during the Industrial Revolution. Think-Pair-Share: What primary sources could help investigators understand a crime scene?

Why Primary Sources and why in STEM? Why http: //www. loc. gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/whyuse. html The “rawness” allows for unique connections. in one primary source case study titled “Growing-Up before they had to: Children of the Civil War”, students analyze primary sources and then answer the following question: Through the eyes of the children, what aspects of living through the Civil War would have been most difficult? You must cite evidence to support your answer. Please indicate whether you were satisfied with the evidence and list any additional questions that have been left unanswered through your investigation. Connection to scientists and https: //www. loc. gov/resource/magbell. 25300201/? sp=22 their work: STEM and primary sources make natural partners in teaching and learning because they both have an interdisciplinary nature and tend be applied to real world situations.

Primary Source Resources available via the Lo. C http: //www. loc. gov/teachers/classroommaterials/ Lesson Plans: Look at Edison under the Science, Technology & Business Group. Primary Source Sets: Look at Inventive Wright Brothers under http: //www. loc. gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/flight/

Primary Source Analysis Activity Form groups of three-four. Each person will analyze their own primary source that focuses on military amputees from WWI. The analysis will be conducted using the Analyzing Photographs & Prints tool. After individual analysis, share discoveries, thinking, etc. with group members.

Prosthetic Arm Activity Challenge: You are a member of a team of three or four students, all working together to design and build a prosthetic arm in a method honoring the Maker Culture. The arm must be at least 18 inches in length and be able to pick up an upright Solo party cup containing a golf ball and release it upright onto a table without spilling the ball. Extra credit will be awarded to teams that can incorporate a 90 degree “elbow” into the arm. Establishing a Maker Culture means “teaching kids that it's okay to tinker and play and to problem solve, and to build those other skills of collaboration and communication and critical thinking, "

Thanks Questions/Comments?