Leslie Garcia

Science Reflection

I have to be familiar with actual content regarding science and related topics. I also need
to be knowledgeable with the eight practices of science and know how and when to use them. In
order to teach science I must follow the NGSS practices to ensure my students are allowed
proper exposure of information. The practices purposely overlap and interconnect to provide
students with a better understanding. Planning on my part will be a great advantage for students
and me. In science not everyone will reach the same hypothesis or conclusion. The importance
here is that students learn how something works and why it works. Part of the scientific process
is being able to relay the information gathered by providing explanations, examples, and
evidence. Having expectations for my students and evaluating their method of understanding wil
increase their level of learning. I need to allow my students various methods of explanations
using (investigations, data, ideas, models, and communication). Part of science is allowing
students to inquire themselves; I cannot directly give them the answers. To better understand
science it is crucial I allow students time to think, evaluate, and come to a conclusion. Science is
learned through inquiry.
My classes have prepared me by providing basic information that I need to understand in
order to teach students. Even though I learned most of this material in elementary it was great to
be exposed to the material again in a way that students will find appealing. This way I can be
prepared to relay this information to future students. In my science classes we have completed
projects, group discussions, write-ups, and labs. All of these activities have helped me
understand concepts and how they work. Much of what we learn in science is through
investigating and performing investigations. It is not enough for a teacher to lecture on a topic. I
learn more effectively when I am actively engaging in an activity. Therefore, I believe most
students will learn science through hands on experiments and trial and error.

Leslie Garcia
Science Reflection

I feel well prepared in the area of Earth science. For example, anything relating to the
earths properties, such as its resources, planets, rock formations, natural disasters, and plate
tectonics. Ideas such as these are easy for me to understand because I can visualize the concepts.
It helps to touch tangible objects and watch videos to show graphic displays of how the world
truly works.
I feel less prepared in the area of physical science, particularly laws of motion, heat,
energy, and force. I have trouble understanding these concepts and how they correlate with
formulas. Putting practical life problems using any of these ideas is hard for me to understand. I
cannot connect ideas with formulas. In essence, a lot of these have been word problems and it is
hard for me to understand without a visual or graphic figure.
I will share my project from earth science which shows I understand planetary motion. I
will also share my labs from physical science which indicate I concluded my own information
based on my data and analysis. These work samples demonstrate my understanding of science
and how I came to this conclusion.
These samples demonstrate my knowledge of science because there was a process
involved in understanding these concepts. I showed how I concluded my gatherings based on my
evidence and investigation. My work shows step by step process of how I gathered my
information. Through my investigation I learned something new. These work samples connect to
my learning because I used some of the eight steps from the NGSS practices. My work samples
show that through compiling data, analyzing, and communicating I was able to understand
concepts clearly.