We spotlight Margarita Garcia and Naomi Martin, CRS Science Super Star honorees, who teach at New Highland Academy in Oakland. By making an effort to teach science, Margarita and Naomi are ultimately departing the skill of meaning making and the importance of learning on their students.
May 5, 2020
We are proud to name Margarita Garcia and Naomi Martin, Kindergarten Teachers at New Highland Academy in Oakland, as 2020 Science Super Stars!
Margarita and Naomi stress the importance of utilizing a variety of methods when teaching science. They do not need to be complex, but they do need to be engaging in some way. They want teachers who are interested in teaching science to know there are many resources and ways to accomplish this:
| “The best learning experience is when students learn through hands-on activities, go on field-trips, and make connections with their own lives and the world.” |
For their own past year in science, Naomi and Margartia have been exploring the necessities for life. They posed a focus question to their students: What do animals, such as snails, need to live and grow?
Students were given both water and land snails to observe. Over the course of the unit, they closely observed both types of snails, making detailed notes and identifications in their science notebooks. They learned that snails have basic needs and behaviors.
Every student was given the opportunity to take observations one step further, as they were all able to take home the snails for a period of time. The students were excited about caring for the snails, and made sure to share their notebooks full of information with their families.
By the end of the unit, Margarita and Naomi had their classes share what they learned, and what they previously knew, about snails with the class through charts and their scientific notes. Both teachers noticed their students were using scientific and academic vocabulary during these science talks.
They took their classrooms to the San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay to observe and have another hands-on experience with shells and other sea animals. Students earned about the importance of taking care of the environment so animals can live and grow.
Naomi and Margartia also realized that as their students had made a passionate connection to the snail lesson, they could further understanding in other subjects by relating the topics. They ended up using shells to make patterns and for addition in math, creating an engaging combination lesson.
By making an effort to teach science, Margarita and Naomi are ultimately departing the skill of meaning making and the importance of learning on their students.
| “One student, who has difficulties paying attention, becomes very engaged during science lessons.” |