{"title":"Learning about Vaccines in Middle School Using Socioscientific Issue Problem Based Learning Modules.","authors":"Debra C Tyrrell, Manetta L Calinger","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This NIH-funded pilot study took place in spring 2021 to evaluate socioscientific issues (SSI) problem-based learning (PBL) modules to engage middle school students in ill-structured problems in science and health modules as a scientific literacy teachable moment. Data included questionnaires, Zoom interviews, and other correspondence. This pilot case study investigated how two teachers integrated a Covid-19 related SSI into their middle school classrooms, support needed, and their perceptions about the nature of science using a qualitative, multiple case study design. Both teachers chose the same module about who gets a vaccine, perceived their students' high degree of success, and reported the module was easy to use and deliver. The teachers reported that the SSI PBLs engaged their students with the science content involved in their study of viruses, the immune response and vaccines, and the ill-structured problem. The SSI PBL provided a viable solution, or a way for middle school teachers to implement previously developed Covid-19 modules into their teaching that aligned with other curriculum topics despite challenges of time, lesson availability, and professional development limitations. The larger project comprises an immersive learning simulation with supporting material, including SSI PBLs, career opportunities, and teacher training for middle school students to learn about human body systems impacted by natural disasters.</p>","PeriodicalId":87246,"journal":{"name":"ED-MEDIA. ED-MEDIA (Conference)","volume":"2022 ","pages":"879-889"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12165666/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144303847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Breaking the COVID-19 Ice: Integrating Socioscientific Issues into Problem-Based Learning Lessons in Middle School.","authors":"Debra Crawfordbpiecka Tyrrell, Manetta Calinger","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>COVID-19 represents a socioscientific issue with many different facets and societal impacts for middle school in the 2020-2021 academic year. Socioscientific issues are socially significant, real-world issues that are culturally important and grounded in science. Using a socioscientific issues approach to engage middle school students in ill-structured problems in science and health issues affords teachers a motivational and scientific literacy teachable moment. Teachers face challenges when employing an SSI approach due to lack of time, lesson availability, and professional development. This brief paper and pre-recorded presentation describe problem-based learning modules related to COVID-19, such as vaccines, ventilators, and distribution of supplies that will be ready for middle school teachers at the beginning of the next school year. Lesson plans and related instructional tools will be available online at no charge. Research of the modules will use a qualitative approach to gather data from participating teachers.</p>","PeriodicalId":87246,"journal":{"name":"ED-MEDIA. ED-MEDIA (Conference)","volume":"2020 ","pages":"120-125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7963393/pdf/nihms-1674959.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25489721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}