April 8, 2020
We are honored to recognize Jean Ma, 3rd and 4th Grade Teacher at Prescott Elementary in Oakland, as a 2020 Science Super Star!
Jean and her students explored the characteristics of mealworms, by delving into their structures and behaviors. They used this as a jumping board, to figure out what of these characteristics help their mealworms grow and survive.
Throughout the lesson, Jean overheard insightful ponderings and observations: “Do mealworms bite?” “Why are they turning black?” “How long does it take for mealworms to turn into beetles?”
She had them collect data through drawings, along with scientific notes and measurements. She often hosted science talks, to help all students synthesize their understanding from what they read in their science textbook and observed in the experiment. Jean wants to ensure that all students are being able to make meaning from the lesson, especially so that they all have a base understanding to write informational essays.
Jean is especially excited at the way her students were able to connect their experiment to the larger picture. Her classroom recognized the importance of mealworms in the foodchain, and were able to infer how their importance on the environment around them:
“Students are looking at other bugs and how they are important to the environment.”