Episode 42 – Frank Novakowski – Helping Students Make Connections
In this episode, Mark talks with experienced modeler Frank Novakowski about the key changes to his teaching when he began using modeling instruction. They talk about the importance of the storyline in modeling, and how Frank and others are working to make the ideas in biology fit together in a cohesive story. He talks about…
View Show NotesEpisode 41 – Karle Delo & Erica Posthuma – Connecting the AMTA Community
In this episode, Mark talks with Karle Delo and Erica Posthuma, both of whom work on the social media presence of AMTA. They talk about the various ways to find AMTA resources and other teachers online as well as which places are particularly geared toward sharing modeling ideas with administrators or others new to modeling…
View Show NotesEpisode 40 – Dwain Desbien – Rethinking What We Teach and Why
In this episode, Mark talks with Dwain Desbien, a physics instructor at the community college level, about his research in physics education, methods to get students thinking deeply, and ways that we may consider why we teach what we teach as well as things we could add to improve our students’ understanding. Guests Dwain Desbien…
View Show NotesEpisode 39 – George Nelson – Modeling in Middle Schools
In this episode, Mark talks with middle school modeling teacher George Nelson. They talk about the importance of building skills, rather than just focusing on making it through the assigned topics. Additionally they talk about the importance of classroom community and connecting with students. Guest George Nelson George has taught middle school since 2009, and…
View Show NotesEpisode 38 – Dan Peluso – Astronomy, SETI, Music and Modeling
In this episode, Mark talks with Dan Peluso about his time teaching physics and astronomy and the work he has done to help develop the modeling instruction materials and workshop for astronomy modeling (the next one is coming up in January!) They talk about the work he is doing at the SETI Institute with citizen…
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