WEEK 11: DMP and Authentic Science Curriculum

WEEK 11: DMP and Authentic Science Curriculum

This week the first reading focuses on a new framework called DMP- Design, Make, Play. The fact that it is called DMP is really funny to me because we use a drug in my lab called DMP777 to dose mice. This concept really brings a great way to implement modeling for students in the classroom. This technique focuses on the students generating their own ideas and I think it may be difficult to get students to think in this way at first, but in the long term this technique would be very beneficial for students.  It motivates students, engages them and gives them hands on experience. In my opinion this is everything students need to facilitate learning. The students are forced to think critically and come up with their own ideas about a problem. This student driven initiative is where science education is heading and I am glad to see more of a focus on critical thinking. 

The second reading focuses on the importance of out of school science inquiry and activities. It is not enough just to teach students about science. The more these students are able to experience science in the real world and develop an interest the more motivation they will have to learn in the classroom. This I think isn’t easy in a school district that is thought of as under-served. Most of the students I teach don’t have the opportunities to experience science outside of school. Museums, zoos, interactive exhibits all cost money that a lot of these students don’t have.  So how do we as educators promote the importance of these experiences knowing a lot of our students will not be able to do it? Field trips can help, but often there is a cost associated with them as well. Is this something all teachers should account for? What kind of free opportunities are available in Nashville? This reading gave me a lot to think about. I want to figure out how to get my students these experiences they might not otherwise get.