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Teaching Children Science: A Project-Based Approach, 2/e

Joe Krajcik, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Charlene Czerniak, University of Toledo
Carl Berger, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

How Do I Develop and Use Benchmark Lessons?

WHAT EDUCATIONAL VALUE DO COMMUNITY RESOURCES HAVE?

Materials Needed:

Paper and pencil or a computer

On a sheet of paper or on a computer, make two columns-one marked Community Resource and the other marked Scientific Educational Value. For each of the following community resources, identify a scientific educational value. For example, a radio station can teach students about sound production and broadcast and expose them to a science-related career.

Community Resource

Scientific Educational Value

Radio station

Zoo
Park
Hospital
Police station
Fire station
Library
Water treatment plant
Sewage treatment plant
Court
Universities

Retail businesses:

Photocopy store
Grocery store
Pet store
Bookstore
Welding business
Furnace and air-conditioning business
Restaurant
Gas station
Auto dealership
Mechanics shop

Teach students about careers
Teach students about sound production and broadcast

Select one community resource and an elementary or middle school in your geographic area. Pretend you are teaching at the school. How would you answer the following questions?

What is educational about a field trip to this location? Is there a clear purpose for going there?
What travel arrangements could you make?
Who would handle the arrangements?
Is there any legal liability? Do you need parents' permission? Does the community resource have any particular rules concerning student age, safety, or behavior?
What is the cost?
How long would the trip takee
What is the area of expertise of the people at the community resource?
Do these people know how to handle and talk to children?
What arrangements will you make to visit the -location yourself in advance so that you know what the students will encounter?
What is the phone number of the resource person to contact?
How much lead time is required to arrange a trip to this resource?
How will you keep track of the students when you are there? Will you need parent assistance?

If possible, contact this community resource and find out the answers to the questions you were unable to answer on your own. What have you learned about community resources?

Record this in your portfolio.

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