|
|
 Digital
Microscopy Leadership
Grades 3-6 Rome, Italy 2007
At the 2007 MAIS Annual Conference in Rome, Italy, the major goal
of project MAIS ZOOM/2 was to prepare a cadre of MAIS elementary
grade 3-6 teachers as Digital Microscopy Leaders (DSLs) to
introduce digital microscopy to their students, integrate it into
the science curriculum, and diffuse it to their elementary school
colleagues and the greater school community. A first step toward
that goal was achieved during the ZOOM/2 Pre-Conference and related
programs presented in Rome. |
|
Presented ZOOM/2 topics included: |
|
|
Overview of Project ZOOM/2
Alignment with Project Aero
Components of DigiScope—microscope, camera, computer
Use of DigiScope—magnification, stage use, capturing still or
video images |
|
|
|
Use as a stand-alone microscope
DigiScopes and Motic software |
|
|
Model DigiScope science lessons from the ZOOM/2 website.
Overview of individual and small group student projects
Large group demonstrations
Production of time-lapse mini-movies, PowerPoint presentations,
etc.
Student evaluation techniques and how to use them
Leadership for in-school diffusion to teaching colleagues,
administrators, and |
|
|
|
the school community |
|
|
Project evaluation |
|
Each participant received 2 DigiScopes, Motic software, a reference
book from Activites for Integrating Math and Science (AIMS) titled
K-8 Experiment Manual and Magnificent Microworlds Adventures,
assorted supplies, copies of the Project AERO standards, the ZOOM
Competency Checklist, and other references related to microscopic
studies.
Primary instructors for the Rome ZOOM/2 programs included Dr. Vickie
Harry, Dr. Bruce Smith, and Ms. Karen Spuck, all of Clarion
University, Clarion, Pennsylvania, plus Tina Centurio, ZOOM/2 Field
Trial Center Coordinator at the Carlucci American International
School of Lisbon, Portugal (CAISL), and Dr. Ken Mechling of Clarion,
PA.
Sixteen (16) school leaders, teachers, and administrators
participated in the ZOOM/2 Pre-Conference. They represented 7
schools from 4 countries. The participants, their schools, and the
countries represented were as follows: |
|
ZOOM/2 Participants In Rome |
|
November 1, 2007 |
|
Name |
School |
City/Country |
|
Karyn Denniss |
Ambrit Rome International School |
Rome, Italy |
|
Jeremy Schwartz |
American School of Madrid |
Madrid, Spain |
|
Lynn White |
American School of Madrid |
Madrid, Spain |
|
Angelo E. Nicassio |
American School of Madrid |
Madrid, Spain |
|
Brook Nickell |
American School of Madrid |
Madrid, Spain |
|
James Ellis |
American School of Madrid |
Madrid, Spain |
|
Deanna Moniz |
Casablanca American School |
Casablanca, Morocco |
|
Andrea Sum |
Casablanca American School |
Casablanca, Morocco |
|
Meggan Stacey |
Casablanca American School |
Casablanca, Morocco |
|
Joe Fred Perez |
American Cooperative School of Tunis |
Tunis, Tunisia |
|
Mara Tramontin |
The Udine International School |
Udine, Italy |
|
Ginny Newberg |
Marymount International School Rome |
Rome, Italy |
|
Christine Tabbron |
Marymount International School Rome |
Rome, Italy |
|
Emily Lelacheur |
Marymount International School Rome |
Rome, Italy |
|
Carla Beltramini |
International School of Trieste |
Trieste, Italy |
|
Brian Preston |
International School of Trieste |
Trieste, Italy |
|
Summary |
|
16 participants …7 schools represented…4 countries |
|
Evaluations from ZOOM/2 participants in the Rome program were
generally outstanding, with overall ratings of 4.77 out of 5.0 on a
scale ranging from possible highs of 5.0 to lows of 1.0, with 3.0
being average. Ten (10) program assessment items were rated (e.g.
“With the skills I learned in MAIS ZOOM/2, I am ready to implement
ZOOM/2 in my own classroom.” <4.46>, “The purpose of the program
was clear.” <4.92>, and “The instructional strategies modeled by
the instructors have helped me to see how I can use ZOOM/2 in my own
classroom.” <4.92>). All items received rating of between 4.23 and
4.92.
Further, all written evaluative comments in response to open-ended
questions were very positive including, “It was great! I learned a
lot, even though I am low tech.” “This was an excellent hands-on
presentation! Presenters were helpful and enthusiastic. Thank you!”
“This was great, inspiring, and I look forward to using it in my
classroom.” “Very well organized and lots of real classroom ideas.
Excellent willingness to answer questions and problem solve.”
“Excellent!! Great pacing! Enthusiastic presenters.” “Extremely
interesting, motivational, stimulating, etc., etc.” “Great hands-on
and practical!” “Great job…I look forward to using the DigiScopes in
my classroom.”
Following are photos of ZOOM/2 participants engaged in various
digital microscope activities.
|
This is the room set-up at the beginning of ZOOM/2 in the Pio XI
room at the Aurelia Convention and Expo Center in Rome. |
Dr. Harry begins the ZOOM/2 Pre-Conference by welcoming
participants, presenting a program overview, and describing an
“icebreaker” activity in which participants learn about some
microscopic organisms after introducing a partner colleague to the
group. |
Participants are given diagrams of microscopic organisms—Amoeba,
Chlamydomonas, Cyclops, Euglena, Grammarus, Volvox, etc.—and asked
to find their organism’s twin. Here Angelo and Andrea match their
organisms. They must introduce their partner to the group, then
identify the organism and tell what they know about it. |
Tina, the ZOOM/2 Trial Center Coordinator at CAISL, describes her
use of the DigiScopes with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students in
Portugal and their quick understanding, interest, and enthusiasm for
microscopic investigations.
|
Digital Microscopy Leadership - Grades 3-6 Rome, Italy 2007 - Page 2 ->
|
|
