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Gannon University (Erie,
PA)
Lake
Erie Arboretum at Frontier
Summary
Arbor Day in Erie, PA is certainly cause for celebration as preservice
teachers from Gannon University’s school of education and fifth-grade
students from Erie city and county team up to explore the Lake Erie Arboretum
at Frontier (LEAF) through constructivist inquiry projects linked to the
Pennsylvania State academic standards across the curriculum. Each year,
education instructor Marjorie A. Masse leads approximately 45 students
from her “Concepts and Methods of Science” course to research
informal science education centers and to research, design, rehearse,
and peer-review their culminating lesson plans prior to presenting these
lessons to 45 of the approximately 300 fifth-grade students attending
the LEAF Arbor Day Festival.
The Practice
For a variety of reasons, preservice teachers are getting fewer opportunities
to teach science in their elementary school experiences. The Arbor Day
project at LEAF provides students with an early exposure experience that
enriches their regular field placements. The lead faculty member has focused
her research and teaching toward creating a link between informal science
education centers and the Pennsylvania State Standards for science, technology,
environment, and ecology.
This project has its roots in prior community-college relationships. Four
faculty members are LEAF board or committee members. Gannon University
has been partnering with many of the participating public and private
schools from which the fifth grader participants at Arbor Day come.
The preservice teachers involved engage in a variety of preparation activities
for their work with the fifth graders on Arbor Day. All the students enrolled
in the “Concepts and Methods of Science” course have completed
Project Learning Tree, Project WET, or Project Food, Land, and People
prior to their participation at Arbor Day. Training and certification
have been provided by Sister Pat Lupo O.S.B. Planning, implementing, rehearsing,
and reflecting upon inquiry approach lessons address the five components
of the 5-E learning cycle (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate).
The pedagogical design for these lessons is based upon the Pennsylvania
State standards for science, technology, environment, and ecosystems,
and the goals for science teaching and assessment. These lesson plans
also address multiple Pennsylvania standards for math and language arts.
Four preservice teachers lead each group of 15 students at the Arbor
Day event. Additionally, a teacher, assistant, or parent volunteer accompanies
the fifth-grade students. The lesson is taught to three consecutive groups
of fifth-grade students. The teaching students are pleased with the program
because it allows them the opportunity to teach a small group of students
and then be able to reflect, refine, and redo their activity with the
second and third group of fifth-grade students. This program has been
a life jacket for students and the lead teacher, elevating attitude and
raising confidence within a content area that has many preservice elementary
teachers struggling to find their bearings.
Effectiveness
Feedback suggests that preservice teaching students participating in this
Arbor Day event realize that fifth-grade students are capable of learning
and applying complex scientific concepts. Students learn about local resources
such as the Asbury Woods Nature Center and the Presque Isle Audubon Society.
The teachers from participating elementary schools have provided overwhelming
support for this project. Survey responses are continuously positive.
Students realize the potential of informal science centers as "bridges
to the standards" as per the NSTA position statement on informal
science learning centers.
"By exploring and working with the diversity that enriches both the
natural world and the community in which we live, we are being good stewards
and are supporting the mission and vision of Gannon University. I am grateful
for the support of my department, the many energetic people at LEAF, especially
Kathy Dahlkemper, Sister Pat Lupo, O.S.B., and to my wonderful students
who have learned that by trying really hard they can become very effective
at teaching science.” (Marjorie Masse)
Resources
Gannon
University
Lake Erie Arboretum
at Frontier
Sister Pat Lupo
Project Learning Tree
Project WILD
National
Science Teacher’s Association Position Statement on Informal Science
Education
Contact Information
Marjorie A. Masse, M.Ed
Instructor Math/Science Concepts and Methods
School of Education
Gannon University
109 University Square
Erie, PA 16541
Phone: 814-871-7621
MASSE001@Gannon.edu
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