Catalyst 2018

Are you daunted by the thought of using inquiry lab activities in high school science?  Taking the first step feels hard, until you realize you don't have to re-invent the wheel!  Learn how to take labs you know and trust, and flip them to an inquiry approach.  Chem 11/12 labs are the main focus of this workshop, but the strategies translate easily to Science 8-10 activities.

A wide body of research demonstrates that active learning supports greater student success than traditional lectures. While the employment of collaborative and active learning methods in the large-class environments of university lecture halls offer unique challenges, such methods can be adapted and managed with demonstrated success.

Attendees of this workshop will learn about the educational research that supports the effectiveness of collaborative and active learning methods in science classes. They will learn about and have the opportunity to take part in some of the active learning activities and student engagement strategies currently in use in chemistry and biology classrooms at UBC Okanagan, such as guided-inquiry, problem-based learning, and two-stage exams. They will be able to better inform their own senior students as to what they can expect from university science classes, and will have a better understanding of instructional methods they may wish to incorporate into their own practice. 

How do you teach 2D motion in grade 11? How do you convey an idea as abstract as a field meaningfully?
The new physics curriculum presents both challenges and opportunities to understand physics at a deep level! This session, using resources from the Perimeter Institute (Canada’s Centre for Theoretical Physics) and lead by their teacher in residence, will provide participants with hands-on activities that experience shows can help students to understand the big ideas behind the curriculum and make links and deeper understanding. From hands-on activities for understanding projectile motion and electric fields to deeper links to relativity, virtual particles and dark matter, come and share useful ideas – and bring your own experience and questions!  Everyone will leave with a full kit of classroom ready materials. 

 The Mechanical Engineering Technologist program at Okanagan College provides a hands-on, practical, application-based program to those students who want smaller class sizes, job-oriented training after finishing high school.  This tour will showcase some of the classes, labs and will demonstrate the kinds of things mechanical technologists can and will do.