The Typical Science, Technology and Society Class Session
Activities found in a typical class action are outlined below.
Lecture with demonstration of a scientific principle
Group work to address a problem or situation where the scientific principle can be applied
Group presentations and short class discussions of the presentations
Videotape presentation of a science subject of interest
To complete a written assignment based on the video
Other activities that can be expected during classes
Announced an unannounced quizzes on reading and material from previous classes
Simple in class, hands-on, experiments
Field trip to the Smithsonian (which replaces one of the class sessions)
Individual student research and associated classroom presentation
A typical class session will have two short a ten minute breaks in the middle of the first half and last half of the session. There is a longer twenty-five minute break which takes place around 7:30 PM which many students use for dinner or a snack.
Students who are successful in the class usually:
Attend all class sessions and our on time. Students missing more than one class session have had difficulty passing the course in the past. It should be noted that most class activities and experiments cannot be made up. Classroom written assignments such as the video review sheets and quizzes cannot be made up if a student misses class.
Read all assignments before each class session. Students who have not done the reading usually have difficulty completing classroom activities and assignments.
Attend the Smithsonian field trip on the date scheduled. Students missing the field trip or complete it on their own miss the collaborative work and group interaction. This usually causes their assignments in this area to be sub-standard.