Meeting 1 - Aug '11

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Loyola High School Science Department
August Meeting 2011

Thursday, August 25th, 2011 (1:00pm – 2:00pm)
H103

  1. I. Welcome back-all science dept. members present, Ramon, Lew, Cagnio, Uy, Gorr, Kwan, Bouma, Picard, Utley
Notes:
  • Usage of Binders during meetings for collection of evidence
  • Lee Jackson to take over students with special needs.
  • Update course description online in the academics portion of the school website.
  • Jenna Bosswell is no longer our counselor, currently unassigned
  • Prefecting and advising-opportunity for departments and subgroups to get together, specially schedule 7 days...

  1. II. Summer Sabbatical Share:
Notes:
Robb Gorr – Apple and Google Certifications & School Visitations- certified to teach iWork suite, and Google certified teacher...visited other schools for technology and for 7 period schedule.
Paul Picard – Summer school class @ UCLA in Biochemistry-lab portion, a bookend to a previous biochem lecture course. Gave Paul a better sense of quantitative Biology, gained perspective of being in a student seat, exams and quiz is an application to prior knowledge. Gained a bit of empathy for the students. Gave an idea of a research based project, independent study of the project.

  1. III. Looking Ahead – Important Dates to Note- birthdays, dept. meeting
    1. a. Challenge Based Learning – Apple Presentation (Science Fall PD)
    2. b. CSTA /NSTA / CUE
    3. c. Technology in Education Workshops
    4. d. Birthdays and Biohazard Collaboration
Notes:

Important Dates to Note- birthdays, dept. meetings scheduled, on Google Calendar-will send SDM's link to calendar, important dates coming up CSTA and NABT in October. Any other dates, SDM can post on the calendar @ biohaz, also CUE conference for technology, national conf. is in Palm Springs.

Assignment of a 3 week period for SDM to be responsible for bringing in food and beverages in order to keep it fair for everyone. Save your receipts!

Technology in Education Workshops- after school, Rob will run, first one is in Oct. 5th Apple with challenge based learning will be on hand...not to be missed.

  1. IV. Department Budgets
    1. a. General Science Budget
    2. b. Robotics (Good luck K!)
Notes:

General Science Budget- for restocking biohaz and lunches, save your receipts for reimbursement.
Robotics-opened another budget for course seed...


  1. V. Introduction of AiPP (Andrew & Fawzia)
    1. a. Purpose, Scope, Other ideas to improve the study? (Wiki)
Notes:

Fawzia and Andrew will work together with a focus on collaboration and investigate iPad vs. laptop vs. written journal work in Active Chemistry. Surveys will be done pre- post...with the intent to see which way works best for student achievement.


  1. VI. 3D Printer Fun (Gerry)

Notes:

We have one! It can make with CAD software, a 3d part we can make. Students will build the kitted out printer and have a small team to build. We have to set the parameters on usage, and access...
We need to keep it on the downlow


  1. VII. 7th Period Schedule Update (Brian)
Notes:

Andrey updated...
  1. VIII. Physics First Update (Craig)

Notes:

Physics 1st kids are starting college this school year. Looking at one metric...Physics 1st kids did better in AP science scores (APES, APBIO, AP Physics B). Something is translating and a retention of conceptual knowledge...possibility of kids are doing better in AP courses. "We are setting them up for a higher level of success."


  1. IX. Professional Development Plans (Due September 15, 2011)

Notes:
Take a look at previous year's PDP, for every part, check to see if you completed, ongoing, etc. Template is in the reference binder. Robb will email.


  1. X. Diagnostic Exams
    1. a. Subgroup decision by November 1, 2011
Notes:

Let Robb know when subgroups meet, Dept. chair would like to sit in. Which diagnostic would you use by the 1st of November...

  1. XI. Science Mission Statement (To be inserted on all science syllabi starting 2012-13)
Notes:

Revisit, we have one- insert in the syllabus would be good.

  1. XII. Nature of Science Lessons by Grade
    1. a. Freshmen – ?
    2. b. Sophomores – ?
    3. c. Juniors – Mystery Tube and Footprints / Gestalt Images / Basketball Gorilla
    4. d. Seniors – Cube Patterns / Thinkertoys / ?__
Notes:
  1. a. Freshmen – TBD
  2. b. Sophomores – ? Inquiry Cubes/ Obscertainers
  3. c. Juniors – Mystery Tube and Footprints / Gestalt Images / Basketball Gorilla
  4. d. Seniors – Cube Patterns / Thinkertoys / ?__


  1. XIII. Robb’s Vision for the Future
    1. a. Three Goals
i. Supply, Support and Salute
ii. Continue Assessing and Refining the Curriculum Restructure
iii. Focus on Senior Level Project-Based Course Offerings

Notes:
i. Give SDM everything we need to do what we already do
ii. Ongoing from Craig's work as dept. chair
iii. Offering Project Based learning courses in the senior year...we need to open it up! Start thinking about possibilities to offer.


  1. XIV. Vertical Alignment – Building Year-to-Year Curricular Bridges (20 min)
    1. a. Freshmen (Phy) ® Sophomore (Chem): Astro-Physics (Brian Greene - Elegant Universe)
    2. b. Sophomore (Chem) ® Junior (Life Science): Focus on Biochemistry- Model Building, Odyssey, Proteins, Lipids, Carbs, CHON, Hydrocarbons focus CHONPS- Cycles, general overview.
    3. c. Junior (Life Science) ® Senior (Elective): Hard to prepare for 5 different options...remediation project that brings Bio, Chem, Physics together.
Notes:
Bridge the courses-offering something at the conclusion of one year to connect to the future course that they will take. Physics into Chem...Chem into Bio...Junior to something they can connect into their senior year course.