It is still all about project-based learning opportunities in the classroom

Project-based learning in the classroom includes inquiry and requires the dissemination of scientific facts and logic.  This is the basis and foundation for progressive learning in our school in the 21^st century.  Project-based science teaching is a driving force in curriculum, because it helps to solidify experiences, increase understanding and develop skills and abilities in the minds of students.

Given the media driven high-tech cultural and societal environment, the response by teachers grasping for the attention of students’ minds in the classroom becomes more challenging than ever. Students’ overall focus, in the classroom, on presented learning opportunities are at low levels.  Even with modern learning experiences implemented by teachers, such as digital real-time presentations, global interactions, in class- video creations and presentations and researched and collaborative peer driven projects, it is still a challenge to inspire and motivate students to want to learn.  The staggering wealth of alternatives that students’ attention can pursue as individuals is mind numbing.

Project-based science education is the solution to this vexing problem. To experience science in the classroom is to be given the opportunity to experiment and rationalize outcomes.  A desired learning opportunity presented by teachers encourages independent thinking and rewards critical thought.  Project-based models of learning provide this necessary wealth of scientific endeavor through collaboration, cooperation and measured experimental research leading to greater student engagement and understanding of important concepts and principles.

Cooperative and collaborative involvement with schools and peers across the planet, within academic digital platforms provided by iEARN (international educational and resource network), are essential resources that help build relationships from abroad, while providing real meaning to the work completed by students in the classroom.

Within this project-based learning environment, students focus upon relevant issues within their learned discipline.  Sharing experiences, ideas, completed work and plans of action create learning opportunities that are well suited to the development of the skills and abilities needed for success in the 21^st century.  Projects dealing with designing and constructing rockets, building wind turbines, designing green infrastructures for cities and advocating for regenerative agriculture are just some components in the mix of possibilities for projects in school.  Outcomes of these projects include prototype artifacts and detailed written accounts of learned experience. 

These projects make learning real for students.  It motivates them to want to learn more. Students can share what they have achieved with receptive peers worldwide. Students involved with this international cooperation and collaboration project will cherish this experience of creating and presenting new ideas and new ventures with students in other countries.

Climate change is the one big issue that can galvanize cross-disciplinary involvement helping to solve problems.  Tackling this issue requires the synthesis of conceptual understanding learned from physical science, life science and earth science.  This one big environmental issue transcends academic discipline and generations.  Each train of thought fostered by students from a multitude of science disciplines produces specific and unique solutions to this multifaceted problem.  Incorporating climate change into the science curriculum is now needed as a foundational emphasis in science education in America. It is the one issue that threatens human continued existence on Earth.  It is the one big issue needing a multitude of thought from massive numbers of people to grasp the meaning of staggering human engagement and then to act upon it!

The school year curriculum, scope and sequence, should frame the concern and issue of climate change for each area of scientific study. Each age group can apply their experience and abilities and bring it to the classroom to solve problems.  The ability to deliver the mechanics of problem solving using scientific inquiry and investigation is strengthened from this highly focused real-world and intrinsically collaborative way to learn in the 21^st century classroom.

The driving force in learning is dependent upon student motivation.  Tapping into the minds of students and their involvement with science education, in their lives, is the real challenge for educators today.  Couching learning environments around stimulating learning opportunities is the most important skill and ability that teachers can bring into the classrooms of schools.  This is why education is a vocation because the pursued cause is real and the outcomes sometimes seem marginal, but perseverance and resiliency are always constant.

 

 

 

 

 

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AND SCREAMING DINOSAURS

It is that time of year where students at St. Thomas the Apostle School reflect and take account of our position on this planet as a species, just out of the 100,000-year-old caves, now finding ourselves on the brink of global upheavals.  Earth Day is a celebration of life on planet Earth.  It is a call to action for humanity to work to protect and preserve local ecosystems (air, water and soil) worldwide.

On Earth Day, students, K-8, advocate to all society the imperative to protect and preserve the existence of, as Carl Sagen once described our pale blue dot in the galactic cosmos.  A picture of Earthrise, taken by the crew on the Apollo 8 spacecraft, dramatizes our position on a beautiful lifeful planet. The sight of Earth hanging in the blackness of eternal space is an exclamation on this call to act.

Earth day brings to the forefront the need for action to help protect plant and animal species from extinction and to mitigate climate-changing upheavals that tax the ability of living organisms to survive.

Screaming dinosaurs is the metaphorical presentation of the consequence of inaction by humans and continued status quo with respect to climate change. Screaming dinosaurs were eliminated, as a species, on Earth due to dire environmental consequences caused by volcanic activity and an asteroid striking the planet.  Expressed in a student play production called Screaming Dinosaurs, is the impact of carbon dioxide emissions on Earth's ecosystem and the parallel outcome of Earth dominating species (dinosaurs and humans) being wracked by climate change.  The one and only difference expressed in this play is that humans have brought this wrath upon themselves. Dinosaurs had climate change served to them, and they had to deal with unstoppable consequences.  Humans, in our day and age, have a choice.

So, with advocation as the overriding theme of the day, on Earth Day students will proceed through a litany of activities and challenges designed to spark enthusiasm and to galvanize a sense of responsibility to help save our world. 

Technology, research and critical thinking are driving forces in learning environments, and it produces tremendous positive outcomes in children’s lives.  Success for this day is reflected in the upswell of laughter, participation and achievement in the many challenging staged events. The measures of success, expressed by students involved with Earth Day merit reasoned thought and collaborative efforts.

On Earth Day the sight of screaming and excited children taking on new challenges and enjoying the benefits of a life-fulling ecosystem is in sharp contrast to the remains of once screaming dying dinosaurs on a forsaken planet. On Earth Day we can both acknowledge what has been given to us and we can commit to help preserve this God-given gift of a life-giving planet for future generations of plants and animal species on Earth.

Pale blue dot:  Earth

from nearly the edge of the solar system (3.7 billion miles away from Earth)

Earthrise taken by Apollo 8 Astronauts as they circled the moon on Christmas day 1968.

 

CATASTROPHE

Excessive extraction of natural resources in our current economic system, capitalism, exploits weaknesses in human society through the exploitation of labor and the degradation of Earth’s ecosystems.  Capitalism exploits foundational nature of Earths ecosystems for the benefit of the few.  On a global scale the top one percent of the wealthiest populations consumes fifty percent of the Earth’s natural resources. Resources provided by actions of extractive consumption and inequality in wealth distribution among the populations on the planet are a basic tenant of this economic system. Accountability for most of the global environmental degradation of planetary resources is markedly pinned on societies in the Global North.

Catastrophic droughts, fires, floods, excessive temperatures and rising sea levels are threats to human civilizations. Global warming and climate change have pushed environmental conditions from a Holocene geological epoch (Age of Man) to an Anthropocene geological epoch (human activity having significant impact on planet’s climate and ecosystem) that is not conducive to human life on this planet. The difference being defined by observed increased desertification world-wide, increased frequency of flooding big rain events, wind damaging storms and degradation of forests and vegetation in general.

The ruination of soil vitality, heating of Earth’s atmosphere from excessive carbon dioxide pollution and destabilization of climate patterns that nurtured our existence for the past 10,000 years are consequences of excessive consumption of planetary resources and extreme extraction of minerals, water, air and soil without efforts to ensure sustainability into the future. 

This decade, already half-spent, presents a critical moment in history where humanity can answer the call for action to impact change.  Action taken now will reduce the need for drastic economic retraction in the future. We are now facing catastrophic environmental consequences that are cascading toward the demise of our species on Earth.

In the classroom, we teach methodologies that can mitigate the impact of climate change on ecosystems.  Students take a deep dive into scientific, engineering and societal challenges that impact their future on our planet as it relates to climate change.  Student research and documented plans of action include the following: implementation of green infrastructure installations in the community, promotion of green sources of energy to reduce carbon dioxide pollution and advocating for regenerative agriculture methodologies to help sustain the vitality of soil in the ecosystem. This effort by students leads to reducing the degradation of our ecosystem and resulting impact of climate change on our way of life.

Models of education that focus on conceptual understanding of climate change and its impact upon all living creatures on Earth are crucial to help instill innovative and creative thinking in our youth.  It is important that this most impacted generation of people be given essential skills and abilities and means to solve problems and implement changes that will lead to a more sustainable way of living on this planet.

 

STUDENT EXCAHANGES AS A MODEL FOR 21ST CENTURY EDUCATION

It is an exciting time in science class as students prepare to engage with peers from across the planet.  Zoom real-time communication student exchanges, facilitated courtesy of iEARN (International Educational and Resource Network), delivered this experience to students in 8th grade physical science classes.

Science curriculum in our schools provides the means to share ideas, express concerns on issues related to the environment and help develop solutions to vexing problems. Students' middle school years at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Crystal Lake, Illinois has involved research, experimentation and concerted efforts to develop solutions that address the impact of climate change on local communities world-wide.

Conceptual understanding of Green Infrastructure, Regenerative Agriculture and Green Energy is a central focus in the science curriculum which addresses real concerns of the people living in local communities.  21st century technologies, embedded in educational models of learning, provide the catalyst for innovation and creativity that unleash human potential to solve problems. This young generation of learners have resources in school to help solve real problems and ultimately lend to the protection and preservation of local ecosystems world-wide.

At the international exchange meeting, students at St. Thomas the Apostle school discussed different aspects of their lives with peers from Moldova and Spain.  A former student in Pakistan also contributed to this discussion by expressing her feelings on the ability of collective thought to help solve problems.

Chicago sports, Moldova architecture and school environments were topics of interest as these students explored new friendships with people from abroad.   There is no greater attribute expressed by people than the ability to get along and be open-minded with each other, and to share life experiences.  The trust built from these student exchanges open the door to a better chance for developing collaborative and cooperative relationships into the future.

I believe it is education that changes the world.  People of all cultures and living experiences can unify by experiencing educational exchanges leading to greater appreciation for the diversity of human life and life as a gift from God that needs to be celebrated and cherished at all times.  The speed of communication displayed in these exchanges, in 21st century learning communities, reflect the speed of dynamics on issues we now face related to climate change.  The speed of development of solutions needs to match this speed of problem orientation.  The clock is running, and this classroom of young problem solvers must accelerate their learning and address issues that threaten our way of life and the lives of all plants and animals on Earth.  

 

JANUARY 2024

                                                               JANUARY 2024

This new year begins with an urgent need to revitalize education and fuel progressive efforts to safeguard schools, protect the environment and preserve our democracy and way of life.  Education is power, and with this power we can help bring forth a more just and equitable society.  When we revitalize education, we develop more effective means to generate needed changes in our world.

Methodologies employed to educate our youth have always been tightly associated with social, cultural and technological changes in our society.  It is the responsibility and duty of educators to keep pace with these changes and to develop curriculum that lends well to challenging and dynamic learning environments.

Inspirational engagement, motivated participation and challenging real-world problem solving are foundations of education that can deliver 21^st century learning in the classroom.  Student engagement in the learning process includes creative and critical thinking, effective communication of ideas and solutions and an open-mindedness to new ways of thinking and collaborative teamwork. 

Conceptual understanding of core principles in math, sciences and social sciences learned by students help solve real-world problems and inspire new ideas that address real-world concerns and issues.  Students embracing a purpose to learn, while also having intellectual resources to accomplish objectives, are fundamental elements for success at school.

Project-based models of learning provide the means for students to orchestrate and encapsule this learning process which helps them to become more learned individuals. In the 21^st century classroom it is important that students stay engaged and focused on this learning process.  Distractions in the classroom and non-school priorities are challenges faced by teachers and students that can inhibit learning.  Teachers and students committed to delivering project outcomes, dealing with real-world problems, provide the emphasis and direction necessary for students to remain focused and continue to be inspired, motivated and accepting of new challenges. 

Momentum in education and the learning process is an inspirational experience. It provides the means and opportunities for young people to challenge themselves, experience failures, embrace success and solidify a mindset of growth. Education is a unique experience that students truly rely upon as they grow intellectually with problem solving abilities in hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILDFIRES AND FADING MAJESTIC BLUE SKIES OVER CHICAGO

The sky across Chicago this summer is hazy. This phenomenon is caused by high altitude smoke drifting south out of central Canada.  This smoke causes deep blue skies over the Chicago skyline, on a sunny day, to turn opaque and take on a whiteish hue.   

Geoengineers once proposed dumping tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, at these same high altitudes, to turn the sky white and reflect quantities of solar radiation back to outer space.  Now, by default through nature’s actions, we are experiencing these same outcomes.

The cost of this wildfire event, to the ecosystem, is an increase in the tonnage of carbon dioxide gas spewing into the atmosphere from the burning of trees, the loss of vegetation sequestering carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and the reduced cooling effect these lost trees would have had upon terrestrial surface of our planet.

The deluge of smoke produced from the burning of the Boreal forests is a direct consequence of climate change and it is fueled by continued heating of Earth’s atmosphere. The proposed sulfur dioxide global experiment was intended to reduce the impact of climate change on the planet.  Nature’s actions like this burning of trees add to this crisis even as humans continually plan to resolve this problem by extraordinary means.  

If this is a race for the survival of the human species on Earth, with human effort trying to exceed nature’s consequences, then humans at this juncture are losing.

This afternoon I sat near a public pool and viewed another summer ritual, people swimming together in celebration of summer vacation. The sky is not as majestic blue as it once was, but people continue to live their lives.  The science tells us that we can expect that the number of wildfires, world-wide, to increase by factors of 4 times to 16 times as the temperature of Earth’s atmosphere pushes past a 2-degree Celsius increase heading to a 3-degree Celsius increase by the end of the century.

Today is now a historic inflection point, which is laid bare against an intensely red colored setting sun. It is a turning point where we live now on a planet that will no longer tolerate species that are excessively extractive of resources without showing regenerative efforts and that over consume well beyond any reasonable level of sustainability.

Maybe the consistent smoke clouded skies, this summer, will be a reminder to people, like when they write on posted notes, to make an engagement that is critical. You are telling yourself not to forget and do not just blow this off.  The consequences of not responding to this problem, with urgency, will only magnify the Earthly consequences we face from here on.

 

 

 

 

 

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT SCHOOL

It was Kindergarteners’ that voiced the most emotion as we rallied-up after the Earth Day parade.  Chanting “Save the Planet” repeatedly as the voice of optimism amongst this future generation that will be most impacted by the rath of climate change.

It was the crescendo of a most exciting day at St. Thomas the Apostle School with students participating in multitude of activities and experiences that send the message loud and clear to save the planet!  Kindergarteners, caught up in the moment, sent the message to older generations to act now and help preserve and protect our life-giving ecosystem.

A play, presented to address the melting of artic habitat, Bingo games emphasizing environmental stewardship and the making of wind energy products and science experiment displays became the trappings of an extraordinary Earth Day celebration and advocation.

Students in Earth Science, Life Science and Physical Science worked the entire year on Earth Stewardship Projects that encompass regenerative agriculture, Green Infrastructure, experimental growth of organic crops and green energy alternatives to fossil fuels.

The foundation of the middle school science curriculum is grounded in environmental stewardship and personal value of being committed to and being held account for the well-being of others. The urgency of the environmental and social issues that will face this generation is taxing.  Taxing on educators working to prepare students for the reality of environmental change and taxing on learners wanting to be successful and prosperous in their lives.

The cry of Kindergarteners, from the rear of this generation, is a cry for unity and collaboration needed for success during trying times.  Emotions are first to be expressed and then not far behind comes intellectual understanding.  The marriage of these human traits will be the salvation of this generation as they forge a world that will support equity among everyone.

Students must be given opportunities to express themselves in ways that can be heard dealing with important real-world issues that impact their lives.  Abilities and skills can only be extended by implementing investigation and actions.  "Saving the Planet" is one of those urgent actions needed to help hone their talents.