Featured Speaker
Steve Jacobs, Mr. Wizard IV
Harry Potter Faces Texas Academic Standards for Science
Friday 2:00-3:15 PM, Ballroom E/F/G
Harry Potter: a myth or aberration of modern fiction writing? Some say no. Actually, the mystique of that world famous book and movie character may have its origins with the early childhood of the world's first science teacher: Michael Faraday. Also known as Wizard I, Faraday was one of the earliest promoters of teaching to children the "natural philosophy." The wizard title was passed to one of Marie Currie's students, Hubert Alyea of Princeton, Wizard II. Wizard III, Don Herbert, Television's Mr. Wizard, passed the torch to Jake, Wizard IV. For nearly two centuries these wizards have joined science teaching and learning on a glorious and exciting journey. We now face a set of challenges heretofore inexperienced by science educators. To address some of those challenges, Wizard IV will share one secret from his bag of science learning magic: Whelmers. These learning engagement activities and strategies have proven themselves to be the wizards' best at engaging a student's mind in the processes of science - the first step in meeting stated standards. Wands up, Texas.
Sponsored by: Pearson Prentice Hall
