Teachers share expertise in science journal

Two Issaquah teachers contributed articles to the most recent "Washington Science Teachers' Journal," a source for excellent teaching practices and ideas for science teachers across the state.

Congratulations to Endeavour Elementary's Gabrielle Herring, who wrote about her school's efforts to create an outdoor classroom and the corresponding increase in student excitement and learning.

"Tadpoles, trillium, and woodpeckers, oh my! … An outdoor classroom allows students to see and connect with science in a unique way," she wrote. "Students become better observers of the world around them when the can connect what they have seen outside to their learning and journal writing in the classroom."

Congratulations also to author number two, Discovery Elementary teacher Janna Redman. Her inspirational poem, "Science Lab Bugaloo," is sure to energize science classrooms and remind students about the correct steps during an experiment:

I'm a scientist and I'm here to say
I'd do a lab write-up any day.
I'd begin with a question I want to ask,
Which becomes a hypothesis in a flash.

Clear, complete, all variables, too,
Doing the science lab BUGALOO!

Next comes materials that I do list.
Don't miss any–I insist!
Now draw that diagram–concentrate!
Show what's the same and what you manipulate!

Clear, complete, all variables, too,
Doing the science lab BUGALOO!

The procedure is next–do not fret.
Just take your time and you'll be set.
Write each step clearly and you'll be fine,
And remember–REPEAT THREE TIMES!

Clear, complete, all variables, too,
Doing the science lab BUGALOO!

The conclusion is the final step to do.
State if your hypothesis you did prove.
State and evaluate your data, too,
Then sum up 'n' compare–that's what you do!

Clear, complete, all variables, too,
Doing the science lab BUGALOO!