• Teacher training is required. MSiC staff will provide an overview of the lessons and hands-on activities, distribute handouts and materials for use in the student lesson, and teach participants to use the Elluminate Live! videoconferencing system. Training may be face-to-face at the school or delivered virtually. The training may be during planning periods or after-school. The assigned school determines the method and time of the training.

• Student lessons are approximately 80 minutes long. The specific times of the lessons are based upon the school’s bell schedule. If a school is not on block periods, the lesson is split over 2 days.

• Virtual instructors are Carroll Ellis, Aron Fristoe, Rachel Martin, Steve Oden, Patricia Miller and Lorin Wharton.

 

Lesson Descriptions  

Explore the motions of surface and deep water currents. Students will learn about ocean currents through observation, experimentation, and analysis as they model wind-driven and thermohaline circulation.
Standards of Learning: 2003 Science 6 (6.8), Earth Science (ES.11); 2010 Science (6.3, 6.5), Earth Science (ES.10)

Hurricanes, flooding, algal blooms, over fishing; what will it take to survive such catastrophes? Species are constantly changing as a means to survival and only the ones that survive will pass on their genetic code. Through this inquiry-based virtual lesson, each class will trace the genetic variation in their own fish population and then discover what happens when environmental circumstances are modified. Students will investigate genetic variation, mutations, natural selection, genotypes, and phenotypes. Can your species survive the storm, or will they vanish into extinction?
Standards of Learning: 2003 Life Science (LS.14); 2010 Life Science (LS.12)

Lost in the Amazon

LS

Everywhere on Earth where humans have roamed they have impacted the environment in some way. In this Amazon mission your students will work as rainforest researchers to investigate the changes that are occurring in this important biome. Using satellite imagery and hands-on investigations we will delve into the depths of the rainforest ecology and determine what must be done to save this mysterious region of our planet.
Standards of Learning: 2003 Life Science (LS.1, LS.10, LS.12); 2010 Life Science (LS.1, LS.9, LS.11)

Rocking Across Virginia

ES

Explore the five physiographic provinces in Virginia, including the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Valley and Ridge, and the Appalachian Plateau. Examine rock and mineral samples from each province and learn how Virginia’s valuable rock and mineral resources are used in everyday products.
Standards of Learning: 2003 Earth Science (ES.2. ES.3, ES.6, ES.7); 2010 Earth Science (ES.2, ES.4, ES.5, ES.6, ES.7)

2010-11 Dates 

Sessions are currently being assigned to specific schools. To participate, contact Rachel Martin or Lorin Wharton.

For assistance, contact:

Rachel Martin

Department Head, 6-12 Science

Phone: 343-6525 Ext. 249

Fax: 343-6529

E-mail: rmartin@msinnovation.info

Lorin Wharton

Educator, 6-12 Science

Phone: 343-6525 Ext. 236

Fax: 343-6529

E-mail: lwharton@msinnovation.info