Science teachers have implemented a new style of teaching recently and have seen huge success in it.
This new approach is called modeling. “The main ideas of modeling instruction approach are to make students’ classroom experience closer to the scientific practice of scientists, to make the rationality of scientific knowledge more evident to students by making more explicit through lab data and discussions, and construction and testing of ideas is a central activity to students,” Mrs. Okroy, science teacher, said.
The classes are very hands on and student driven. They have only been implemented recently at our school. “Two and a half years ago Mrs. Okroy introduced me to Gary Abud from Grosse Pointe North, we then implemented it in Chemistry last year,” Mr. Dias, science teacher, explained.
Mrs. Okroy attended a workshop about four years ago where she first learned the method, and she now teaches that same workshop due to her infatuation with the style.
This approach has had many successes in the last year and a half. “I’ve seen more students that have done poorly do better and improve analytical thinking and communication,” Dias stated. The teachers have noticed more students enrolling in science classes taught by modeling, as well as an increase in ACT science scores in not just our district, but others as well.
This school year it has been implemented to more classes due to the success of the “test run” last year. “I’m currently in AP Chemistry and Physics,” Jenna Sassin ’16 said. “ I have enjoyed these courses,” Sassin added. She thinks she learns more from these classes because, “they require you to think through situations to learn.”
Modeling does have some shortcomings though. “Sometimes students are resistant to the approach because they never led a classroom discussion or lab before. They also don’t want to be “wrong” in front of their peers. It also requires constant in class participation from both the teacher and the student, which sometimes makes people uneasy,” Okroy said.
Despite this, the teachers are working through it and students are enjoying it. “I prefer classes taught with modeling because they are more interactive, so they hold more of my interest,” Sassin added.
If any of you are interested in this methodology of teaching stop by Mrs. Okroy’s room, 144 and ask her. Also, go to counseling and schedule these classes for next year because I’m sure Chemistry, AP Chemistry and Physics will continue to be taught this way.
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