Redefining Science in a School

Science provides many opportunities to develop key 21st century skills. The development of organizational skills, project management skills, communication skills, critical thinking skills and collaboration skills will enable students to become better prepared to face challenges once they leave a secondary school environment. A sustainable development of these skills requires students to practice skills in different contexts for prolonged periods of time. The change that is necessary requires science educators to work together to provide effective change. As physics teachers, we must support science programming in grade 9 and 10 in order to provide the framework that is necessary for school wide change. Programs that extend outside the classroom also provide inspiration that builds school science programs. Action research through teacher collaboration provides a powerful tool that works! Come and explore this journey with us! Funding for action research was provided by the Teacher Leadership and Learning Program and the Provincial Knowledge Exchange Program (Ministry of Education and Ontario Teachers Federation).

TLLP Ning: http://mentoringmoments.ning.com/group/tllp-palpe

Biography

Lisa Lim-Cole (Cole) is currently the Head of Science at Uxbridge Secondary School. She graduated from McGill University with a Major in Physics and completed her Bachelor of Education at Queen's University. Lisa is currently pursuing a Master in Education at York University part time with an interest in Science Teacher Education. Her passion for physics and science education continues to inspire students and teachers as she develops classroom activities and provides professional development workshops for teachers. Lisa is currently the OAPT vice-president, an active member of the Perimeter Institute Teacher Network and the project manager of a Provincial Knowledge Exchange - Ministry of Education Project.

Margaret Scora came to Ontario in 1987 from rural Manitoba to join her husband who was working on his Ph. D in physics at the U of T.  With a B.Sc in Honours Physics and newly minted B.Ed in hand she joined the teaching staff at Monsignor Paul Dwyer CHS in Oshawa and has been there ever since! Her goal as a physics teacher has always been to give the students a lot of hands on experiences in physics in order to generate those light bulb moments, and to prepare them for the rigors of post-secondary science education. Her favorite experience driven learning environment is the ice rink where the students investigate “Physics on Ice”. Margaret is currently involved with the annual OAPT conference and hopes to continue learning along with her students.