Author:
STEMToolkit Administrator
Subject:
Engineering, Career and Technical Education, Life Science, Physical Science, Social Science
Material Type:
Lesson, Lesson Plan
Level:
Middle School
Grade:
6, 7, 8
Tags:
  • Careers in Science
  • Critical Thinking
  • Design Process
  • Engineering
  • Inquiry-based
  • Problem Solving / Decision Making
  • Research
  • Science
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
    Language:
    English

    Education Standards

    Science Here, Science There, Science Careers EVERYWHERE!

    Science Here, Science There, Science Careers EVERYWHERE!

    Overview

    Science Career Exploration

    Original Author Renee Huber

    The students will explore, research, and become more knowledgeable in various careers in science. Students will apply this knowledge by creating a lab, hands-on activity, visual, or video.

    Opportunity for student choice is provided and creativity to apply their understanding is given.

    Procedure:

    The lesson survey and rubrics are included as attachements.

    Introduction:

    Play “What is a Scientist” Video  https://youtu.be/AUs6af5Iu8g

    Tell to student to think about these questions while viewing video. Be prepared to complete chart as whole group

    1. What do people think a Scientist is?
    2. What do Scientists say they do?

    Have students share out after watching the video.

    Next Steps:

    1. The teacher will have the students complete a short survey.
      1. The survey questions have been generated to assess students’ interest in various careers in science.
        1. The three branches of science that these questions focus on include the following: Life, Earth and Space, and Physical.
      2. The students will answer each question with a “yes” or a “no”.
    2. Once the students have answered each question, the teacher will have each student tally up and record the number of “yes” responses they have in each “section”.
      1. The teacher will inform the students to label each “section” with a 1, 2, or 3 after they have completed the survey.
        1. Section 1: Life Science
        2. Section 2: Earth and Space Science
        3. Section 3: Physical Science
    3. Based on the survey, the students will fall under one of the branches of science.
      1. The more “yes” responses, the more interest they have in that branch.
        1. If the same amount of “yes” responses are recorded for two branches, then the students should be given the option to decide which branch.
    4. The teacher will supply a list of careers that fall under each branch.
      1. The students will decide six of the careers to research and to obtain additional information on.
        1. Additional information should include the following: description, salary, education, attire, location/setting, etc.
          1. The students will be granted 3 points for each career (18 points in all).
        2. This information will allow students to make an informed decision on what career best suits them!
      2. A research guide and a list of reliable resources will be given to the students to facilitate this process.
    5. Once the research process has been completed, the students can make an informed decision on their “favorite” career.
    6. Based on the information, the students will create an “experience” for the students that relates to their career in science.
      1. Students with the same interests (career) will be grouped together.
      2. This “experience” can include an experiment, hands-on activity, a visual, or a video.
      3. Students will work as team to
        1. Define the experience, Specify Requirement
        2. Brainstorm experience. Choose Information to be shared/Research
        3. Develop experience prototype
        4. Build Experience
        5. Share experience with other teams
        6. Gather & Record feedback on experience
    7. The teacher should allot the appropriate amount of time for students to travel through each “experience”.
      1. 1st time slot: Life Science Careers
        1. Students will rotate amongst the students that fell under this branch.
      2. 2nd time slot: Earth and Space Careers
        1. Students will rotate amongst the students that fell under this branch.
      3. 3rd time slot: Physical Science Careers
        1. Students will rotate amongst the students that fell under this branch.
      4. The teacher will add in “experiences” if there is in area in need.
        1. For example, if a station is needed under Earth and Space Science, the teacher can have students study the hardness of various rocks.

     

    Accessibility Options:

    Accessibility Options:

    Survey could be created as an online survey that could tabulate individual's score.

    Students may verbally complete survey.

    Visual Information What is a career as a Scientist Videos

    Why a career in Science is for me?          

                  https://youtu.be/Jm2rB29enN4

                  3 types of science careers

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLF73jzILbo

     

    Allow students to partner with another student to complete survey and or research

    Students have choice in type of Experience they create.

    Extension Activity:

    The teacher may complete this lesson by having guest speakers, professionals in these fields, come and speak to the children. For example, a Chemistry professor may speak to the children about how one makes various colors for hair dye. They can then show the students using various household chemicals.

     

     

     

    Images Sources Google