The Northern Indiana Science, Mathematics and Engineering Collaborative
NISMEC

Guided Inquiry is our Focus


This summer 2010 at Notre Dame, the NISMEC group ran 6 one-week Guided Inquiry using Vernier modules workshops for middle school teachers (grades 5-8). The six workshops were two sets of sequential three week workshops - we labeled them A, B, C and A2, B2, C2. The "A" workshops focused on Guided Inquiry in the classroom; the "B" workshops focused on learning to use the Vernier Labquests and many of the associated probes; the "C" workshops focused on developing Guide Inquiry-based Lesson plans utilizing the Vernier Laquest and probes.
In addition we held a one-week workshop of Modeling in Chemistry - a pilot workshop for high school chemistry teachers.
All these workshops encourage the use of Vernier Labquests and probes in the science classrooms to create an active hands-on learning atmosphere for students utilizing modern technology. Unfortunately many school districts cannot afford to buy this modern technolgy for any or all their classrooms. In districts where some of the Labquest technology is available (The South Bend Community Schools Corporation is one such district), there is a need for more Labquests and probes than are available.

Since both sets of workshops featured the Labquest technology, we have been working to make our supplies more available to these 7-12th grade teachers:
Hence, we have put together our Labquest and probe supplies as a "Special Collection" lending library within the Notre Dame Hesburgh Library system.
This "Special Collection" will be available for loan to all teachers who have completed one or more of our summer workshops.
A preliminary listing of the materials available is given here:
"the Notre Dame Labquest Special Collection Library".
Here is a listing with pictures of the materials (not complete) Once the collection is in place, you will be able to check the collection directly from the Notre Dame Library website, (to see what components are available or checked out), and order the materials you need - they will be available for pick up at the Notre Dame Physics Library within a few days of ordering. You will be responsible for pick-up and return of all items: there will be a checking service to make sure all components of the items returned are in working condition.

The library collection is not yet on line, but Vernier materials may be ordered by filling in and sending the order form to Gordon Berry (by Fax - 631-5952, by regular mail: Gordon Berry, Physics Dept, NSH225, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame IN 46556; or by email to hgberry@nd.edu)
Contact Gordon Berry at hgberry@nd.edu for further information.

Click on the pictures below for larger view - left - Groups B2 and C at the Jordan sundial; right - the Modeling group


Guided Inquiry Lesson Plans using the LABQUEST interface
developed at the summer workshops 2010 at Notre Dame

These lesson plans were put together by teacher participants in the Vernier/Guided Inquiry "C" and "C2" workshops in June and July at the Jordan Hall of Science at Notre Dame -
The participants tested the lessons in a classroom format during the workshop; the lessons included below were rewritten in a consistent format, and are appropriate for the gradelevels listed.
Note: these plans should only be used as guidelines for your use:
  5th-grade - "Construction Challenge"   5th-grade - "Think before you Drink"   6th-grade - "Generic vs. Brand name"   6th-grade - "Water Quality - Turbidity"
  7th-grade - "Effervescence"   7th-grade - "Current and Voltage"   8th-grade - "Forces - electric current and Magnets"   8th-grade - "Mean, median and mode"
  8th-grade - "The Great Expansion"   8th-grade - "Universal free-fall acceleration"   8th-grade - "Series and Parallel Circuits"   

Click on fhe picture below for larger view of the GI Matrix

VERNIER Lesson Plans using the LABQUEST interface
Note: these Lessons are NOT in Guided Inquiry Format - they should only be used as guides for your own GI Lesson plans
(They are also stored in the memory of the LabQuest module)
VERNIER Lesson Plans using the Computer interface

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