Workshop 1. Astronomy: Eliciting Student Ideas (90 min.)
Introduces constructivism by examining student beliefs on what causes the seasons and their explanations for the phases of the moon. Go to this unit.
Workshop 2. Biology: Why Are Some Ideas So Difficult? (90 min.)
Focuses on the need for conceptual understanding and examines the scope of student ideas by exploring the central idea of photosynthesis, that the substance of plants comes
mostly from the air. Go to this unit.
Workshop 3. Physics: Hands-On/Minds-On Learning (90 min.)
Examines overcoming obstacles to conceptual thinking. Is hands-on the same as
minds-on? Why are concepts taught again and again, such as electricity and circuits, but
still difficult to explain and put to work? Go to this unit.
Workshop 4. Chemistry: A House With No Foundation (90 min.)
If abstract fundamental ideas are not taught because students are considered too young to
comprehend them, how will older students have the foundation of facts they need to
build on? Go to this unit.
Workshop 5. Vision: Can We Believe Our Own Eyes? (90 min.)
Explores the origins of student ideas to find out whether experience equals learning. Shows how experience can work for or against learning because students can disbelieve concepts that they have "learned." Go to this unit.
Workshop 6. Energy: Where Should We Start? (90 min.)
Examines selecting an appropriate strategy and goal for conceptual learning when a student's experience is not consistent with science. Friction, gravity, and pendulums are
used as a basis for discussion. Go to this unit.
Workshop 7. Environmental Science: Taking a Risk (90 min.)
Though educators agree that new approaches to teaching science are compelling, few use them. This program examines the obstacles to change, and explores how educators can create a safe place to innovate.
Workshop 8. Progressive Education: Finding Solutions That Work (90 min.)
Examines the obstacles teachers meet as they consider changes necessary for reform,and lays out common issues any solution should address.
Workshop 9. Constructivism: A Vision for the Future (90 min.)
Ponders what the classroom of the future might look like, and offers steps to approach
constructivist learning as well as the obstacles along the way.