Building Communication Skills in Science
By taking an interdisciplinary approach to science class, teachers are able to deepen understanding of contentâand sharpen literacy skills at the same time.
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Go to My Saved Content.At in Portland, Maine, Jenny Crowleyâs ninth graders are in the midst of a learning expedition called âQuestions of Conscienceââa STEM-led, humanities-supported deep dive that focuses on advancements in biology, medicine, and technology; deepens literacy and communication skills in science; and asks bioethical questions like âHow can resources be used equitably?â and âWho gets to make decisions around resources and why?â
Almost all of the teaching and learning at Casco Bay takes an interdisciplinary approach, like all members in the of schools. Says founding teacher Susan McCray, âExpeditions are interdisciplinary because the world is interdisciplinary, right? Everything is interdisciplinary. Most people donât explore things in discrete ways.â
To prepare students for a high-stakes culminating project at the end, Crowley uses mini bioethical dilemmas to help sharpen studentsâ discussion skills while deepening their understanding of biology. In a multiday lesson, students create folded paper models to understand the science behind sickle cell disease. By bringing a hands-on activity into her lesson that allows students to explore the mechanics of the diseaseâand asking students to read accounts from people who have itâCrowley hopes her students will develop a sense of empathy. In a subsequent class, students read articles about the newest advances in the treatment of sickle cell disease, and finally they take part in small group discussions pondering the question, âIf you or someone you loved had this disease, what are the pros and cons of receiving a brand-new treatment?â
Crowley says the role of bioethical dilemmas in her class is to scaffold her students toward a larger discussion, and she uses four or five of them over the course of several weeks so students can practice presenting arguments and build their communication skills in science. âAs teachers, weâre trying to make the next generation of students really data literacyâminded, to ask the hard questions and be able to consume scientific information,â Crowley says. âWe want our students to be thinking about multiple perspectives and how decisions impact people differently, in different populations.â
Find more practices from this school on ÁůşĎ˛Ę˛ĘĆąâs Casco Bay High School page.