Technology Enhanced Activity Modules for Science (TEAMS)
Project Overview
Welcome to the Technology Enhanced Activity Modules for Science (TEAMS) Project. This National Science Foundation (NSF) supported initiative at Kennesaw State University (KSU) is designed to increase student learning in science and close achievement gaps by raising student expectations, improving teacher quality, and developing new models for teaching science in college courses for early childhood education majors. This project creates unique opportunities for pre-service and in-service teachers to implement inquiry-based science through activities that are designed to rekindle curiosity and build understanding.
These technology enhanced activities coordinate with the new grade-level Georgia Performance Standards and the program provides class sets of all the necessary materials so that participating teachers can effectively implement these activities. Through their active exploration and investigation, our teachers (and their students) will build a deeper understanding, appreciation, and love for science.
Support for this project is provided by the Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement
Program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) through award 0442892.
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Activity Module Content
The project promotes the use of inquiry science approaches in the elementary classroom by using digital technology to provide teachers with a comprehensive collection of resources in each module. In the "Virtual Mentor" section, an experienced instructor walks teachers through the activity and describes tips, tricks, and strategies for effective classroom implementation. The "Activity in Action" shows the activity being conducted with elementary students and enables teachers to see common student reactions and observe presentation and classroom management strategies by an experienced instructor. The "Instructor Resources" section includes a Teacher Handout that provides educational objectives, science standards addressed, science content refresher, materials list, essential questions, safety/disposal information, and extension activities. Student handouts are provided for lower level (grades K, 1, 2) and upper level (grades 3, 4, 5) students. Editable student handouts enable teachers to customize the activity to their grade level and students.
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Activity Modules
Click the Activity Modules listed below for video clips and resources:
- Wonderful Waterlock
- Dry Ice/Earth Bubbles
- Pollution Solution
- The Most Amazing Molecule
- Sound All Around
Wonderful Waterlock
Students see water mysteriously vanish from a cup and apply their reasoning skills to propose and evaluate explanations.
Virtual Mentor Video Clips
Activity in Action Video Clips
Instructor Resources
- Teacher Notes (PDF)
- Student Journal - lower level (PDF)
- Editable Student Journal - lower level (doc)
- Student Journal - upper level (PDF)
- Editable Student Journal - upper level (doc)
- Extension Activity Student Journal (PDF)
- Editable Extension Activity Student Journal
Dry Ice/Earth Bubbles
Students experiment with solid carbon dioxide, dry ice, to examine changes in states of matter and discuss human-induced climate change.
Virtual Mentor Video Clips
Activity in Action Video Clips
Instructor Resources
- Teacher Notes (PDF)
- Student Journal - lower level (PDF)
- Editable Student Journal - lower level (doc)
- Student Journal - upper level (PDF)
- Editable Student Journal - upper level (doc)
- Extension Activity (PDF)
Pollution Solution
Students evaluate the protective qualities, environmental impact, and cost of different types of packing peanuts and examine the issue of solid waste.
Virtual Mentor Video Clips
Activity in Action Video Clips
Instructor Resources
- Teacher Notes (PDF)
- Student Journal - lower level (PDF)
- Editable Student Journal - lower level (doc)
- Student Journal - upper level (PDF)
- Editable Student Journal - upper level (doc)
The Most Amazing Molecule
Students use a hands-on activity and an engaging teacher demonstration to examine the amazing properties of that most common molecule - water.
Virtual Mentor Video Clips
Activity in Action Video Clips
Instructor Resources
- Teacher Notes (PDF)
- Student Journal - lower level (PDF)
- Editable Student Journal - lower level (doc)
- Student Journal - upper level (PDF)
- Editable Student Journal - upper level (doc)
Sound All Around
Students examine the properties of sound through a series of hands-on activites, culminating with the "amazing trash can" demonstration.
Virtual Mentor Video Clips
- Introduction
- Objectives
- Materials
- Key Concepts
- Student Activities
- Teacher Demonstration
- Safety
- Wrap Up
Activity in Action Video Clips
Instructor Resources
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Project Updates
The TEAMS project will be actively adding content and updates, so please check frequently to see what's new.
2008
- MARCH 13: "Most Amazing Molecule" module finalized, completing all project materials.
- JANUARY 22: "Most Amazing Molecule" module video clips available. Additional resources available soon.
2007
- AUGUST: TEAMS project presented at MERLOT annual conference in New Orleans, LA.
- APRIL: TEAMS project presented at National Science Teachers Association annual conference in St. Louis, MO.
- MARCH 12: "Sound All Around " module finalized with addition of Instructor Resources documents.
- FEBRUARY 21: "Pollution Solution" module finalized with addition of Instructor Resources documents.
- FEBRUARY 14: Updated TEAMS web site becomes active. Improved look and navigation will streamline content delivery and project activities, and provide mechanisms for user feedback to development team.
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Project Development Team/Contact
Matthew Laposata, Ph.D. (TEAMS co-Director)
Professor of Environmental Science
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Kennesaw State University
mlaposat@kennesaw.eduTom Brown, Ph.D. (TEAMS co-Director)
Assistant Professor of Elementary Education
Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Kennesaw State University
