Karen Puracan is a science teacher at Hale Academy in Ocala, Florida. The school is a small private school with grades PreK-12th. Mrs. Puracan teaches 8th grade integrated science, 6th and 7th grade life science, 8th through 10th grade physical science and high school biology and ecology. To say she teaches a little of everything is an understatement.
Class sizes are small. Her largest class has only 11 and the smallest classes have only three students. This gives Mrs. Puracan the opportunity to really get to know each student and engage them one-on-one – something most teachers today are unable to do. This also allows time to play or “investigate” as Mrs. Puracan calls it with science.
“Since we are a private school, we have the freedom to take our time exploring things in more depth, without worrying about the test,” Mrs. Puracan explains.
Last year, Mrs. Puracan was a physical science “greenhorn” and stuck to the book. She quickly found the book was boring for both herself and her students.
Before we can get kids excited about science, we have to first start with getting teachers excited about teaching science. This year’s participants at Science in the Rockies shared some of the their underlying reasons for focusing their effort on being better science teachers.
The wonderful people at Rayovac recently approached us and asked for our help in celebrating Teacher Appreciation week (May 2 – 6). They are recognizing inspirational teachers by offering three all-expense paid trips to attend Science in the Rockies in Denver, Colorado July 6-8, 2011.
Science in the Rockies is an intensive three-day hands-on science training for teachers who want to integrate more science into their classrooms and make it more meaningful and fun for their students.
“There are so many amazing educators that bring inspiration, guidance, encouragement and fun to the classroom,” said Kent Klagos, Division Vice President, Rayovac. “Through the Teachers Bring Science to Life Contest, we hope to recognize a few of the many outstanding teachers as well as give them an amazing science experience they can bring back and share with their students.”
Do you know a K-6 teacher that brings learning to life and inspires kids to want to learn in the classroom? Rayovac is now accepting nominations on
President Barack Obama held a town hall meeting at Facebook headquarters on Wednesday… and his comment about making science cool caught my attention.
“I’m frustrated by stories about how we can’t find enough engineers and computer programmers. That means our education system is not working. That’s why we are emphasizing math and science,” Obama said, noting efforts to “make science cool” for minorities and women.
Here’s my open letter to President Obama…
Mr. President, the comment you made at yesterday’s town hall meeting about “making science cool” kept me awake last night because I realized that I actually have something to offer you in the way of a solution to achieve your goal. I was reminded of Don Herbert (the original Mr. Wizard) who made science come alive for millions of kids during the 1950s and 60s. That was exactly what our country needed during the time that followed Sputnik – inspirational people like Don Herbert who made science fun for kids.
Today, we’re faced with a different set of problems that require creative solutions targeted not at the
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It’s truly a gift that an elementary or middle school teacher would never forget. Give the gift of a registration to our hands-on science workshop for teachers called Science in the Rockies this coming July 6-8, 2011 and save $100 off of the registration price. This special savings is good through December 31st. If you want to give your registration as a gift, you MUST contact the workshop coordinator, Carly Reed, directly by calling (303) 268-3183 to complete your registration. Don’t worry… she’s great at keeping a secret.
Hands-on Science = Hands-on Learning… if you know what the secret is
Steve Spangler’s Hands-on Science Secrets™ training is guaranteed to provide you with a whole new perspective on teaching science. This one-day workshop is specifically designed for early childhood through elementary teachers who need creative science integration strategies to take their teaching to a whole new level. You’ll leave with all the tools you need to make you the best science teacher possible.
Karen Puracan is a science teacher at Hale Academy in Ocala, Florida. The school is a small private school with grades PreK-12th. Mrs. Puracan teaches 8th grade integrated science, 6th and 7th grade life science, 8th through 10th grade physical science and high school biology and ecology. To say she teaches a little of everything is an understatement.
