ETEC 579

Grant Proposal Brief

Carla Kennedy

Mabank Intermediate Science Department wants to increase fifth grade students'

learning and retention of key scientific vocabulary by purchasing 12 iPads. The iPads
will allow students to have access to apps such as Quizlet and websites such as
Stemscopes interactive vocabulary reviews so that they will be able to practice new
vocabulary and build their understanding and retention of the specific scientific
terminology needed to improve their scores on the fifth grade Science STAAR test. One
key reason for this that fifth grade students currently enter fifth grade with a very weak
understanding of the key scientific vocabulary they need to be successful on the
Science STAAR test. Benchmark and unit tests show that fifth grade students have
difficulty learning and understanding key scientific vocabulary. Providing students with
opportunities to practice with the vocabulary through technology will increase their
ability to learn and understand the key vocabulary.

Fifth grade students will be given the opportunity to use the iPads during center
activities to access apps and websites, such as Quizlet and Stemscopes, to practice
with the key scientific vocabulary in a more engaging way like interactive games. The
Quizlet app will allow students to practice the vocabulary in several ways including flash
card activities, timed matching activities and games. Stemscopes provides an
interactive vocabulary review game for each of the Science TEKS. The 12 iPads will be
divided equally between the three fifth grade science teachers. Center activities will be
done at least once a week throughout the school year. Students will be assigned
activities using websites and apps that they will complete independently at the iPad
center. Their progress will be closely monitored by their teacher and students who need
more practice with the key scientific vocabulary will be given more opportunities to
practice the vocabulary using the iPads until they have successfully learned the
terminology.

Mabank Intermediate School is a Title 1 Campus in which 70% of the students are
identified as academically at risk. Many of these students enter fifth grade with
independent reading levels well below grade level. Students with difficulty reading have
difficulty learning and retaining new vocabulary. These students have difficulty in
science due to the difficult scientific vocabulary so they need more practice with the
words in order to fully learn and understand them. When students understand the
scientific vocabulary, they are more successful on the Science STAAR test.

The Lead Fifth grade Science teacher will be the project director for this grant. This
project will begin immediately upon receiving the iPads. The iPads will be used in the
classroom at least once a week throughout the school year.