Hands-on Activities Research Articles

Learning on a Limb: An outreach module to engage high school students in orthopaedics.

Orthopaedic researchers need new strategies for engaging diverse students. Our field has demonstrated noticeable gaps in racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, which inhibit our ability to innovate and combat the severe socioeconomic burden of musculoskeletal disorders. Towards this goal, we designed, implemented, and evaluated Learning on a Limb, an orthopaedic research outreach module to teach diverse high school students about orthopaedic research. During the 4-hr module, students completed hands-on activities to learn how biomechanical testing, microcomputed tomography, cell culture, and histology are used in orthopaedic research. Over three years, we recruited 32 high school students from the Greater Philadelphia Area to participate in Learning on a Limb. Most participants identified as racial/ethnic or gender minorities in orthopaedic research. Using pre/post-tests, we found that students experienced significant learning gains of 51 percentage points from completing Learning on a Limb. In addition to teaching students about orthopaedic research, post-survey data demonstrated that participating in Learning on a Limb strongly influenced students' interest in orthopaedic research. Several students acted on this interest by completing summer research experiences in the McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. Learning on a Limb instructors also benefited by having the opportunity to "pay it forward" to the next generation of students and build community within their department. Empowering institutions to host modules like Learning on a Limb would synergistically inspire diverse high school students and strengthen community within orthopaedic departments to ultimately enhance orthopaedic research innovations.

Methodological strategies to extend the attention of the students of the sixth year EGB of the Educational Center "5 de mayo" in the teaching-learning process of the English language

This investigation delves into the efficacy of various methodological strategies in sustaining student attention within a sixth-grade English classroom in Chone City. With a class size of 62, maintaining student engagement presents a significant challenge. To address this, the study employed a bibliometric analysis to inform the research framework. A convenience sample of five English teachers with varying levels of experience was selected for in-depth interviews. Additionally, classroom observations were conducted to gather comprehensive data. The research findings illuminate the correlation between specific methodological approaches and their impact on student attention levels. By examining the perspectives of experienced educators and observing classroom dynamics, this study offers valuable insights into effective strategies for optimizing student engagement in large-scale classroom settings. The study also explores the role of interactive and participatory teaching methods, such as group discussions, multimedia presentations, and hands-on activities, in fostering a more engaging learning environment. By integrating these approaches, teachers can create a more dynamic and stimulating classroom atmosphere that caters to diverse learning styles and keeps students actively involved. Furthermore, the research highlights the importance of continuous professional development for teachers, enabling them to stay updated with the latest educational trends and techniques. This ongoing learning process empowers educators to implement innovative strategies that can effectively capture and maintain student interest. Ultimately, the findings of this study aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to student engagement and offer practical recommendations for educators seeking to enhance the learning experience in large classroom settings.

Stimulating Preschoolers' Creative Imagination through Hands-on Practice Activities

The research aims to develop the creative imagination of pre-school children, using different working techniques in practical activities. An experimental, formative methodology was developed. Twenty-nine preschool children of the "Nicolae Iorga" Secondary School, Bacău, in the 5-6 years age group, namely Group B "Sunbeam", participated in the research. To stimulate creative imagination, specific working techniques for practice, and hands-on activities were systematically used, and modern strategies based on diverse techniques and materials were introduced into the children's work. The research results revealed that hands-on practice activities allow for the selection of activity organization forms that foster learning through discovery. This type of learning, while requiring independent effort, motivates participation and stimulates the creativity of pre-schoolers. This is because they are engaged in developing their knowledge. A creative motivation for knowledge and self-discovery has been observed in preschoolers, which supports the acquisition and development of personality traits specific to creative people: self-confidence, independent thinking, and sensitivity to problems.

Teaching Strategies to Enhance Knowledge and Understanding of Opisthorchis viverrini and Cholangiocarcinoma in Thailand: Lessons for Asian Countries.

Although Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) is a neglected tropical disease, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) listed it as a human carcinogen 30years ago. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the ultimate pathology outcome. However, it remains a significant public health problem in the Greater Mekong Subregion and Asia. Its widespread impact on human health requires urgent action using various strategies. This study aimed to investigate and prioritize the need for developing teaching and learning management of OV and CCA among primary school students in Thailand endemic areas. The samples consisted of 36 Grade 6 students. This study was conducted by using a needs questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation. The needs were prioritized using the Modified Priority Needs Index (PNI modified). The findings revealed a moderate overall need for teaching and learning management development. The area with the highest need was learning activity organization (PNI = 0.410), followed by audiovisual equipment (PNI = 0.276) and buildings (PNI = 0.265). The teaching content the students needed most included CCA prevention, risk factors, and disease symptoms (58.33%). Based on the findings, it is suggested that teachers design various learning activities and emphasize hands-on activities for students. Additionally, administrators should allocate budgets to improve buildings and audiovisual equipment, and relevant organizations should establish policies to promote learning on these issues in educational institutions. Essential lessons from this study can provide a starting point for executives and public health personnel worldwide to apply to develop educational strategies for cancer education and cancer prevention and control.

An innovative educational approach to teach high school students the physiological mechanisms and nutrition concepts associated with the development of obesity.

An interdisciplinary team-teaching session was introduced to high school students who participated in the Oakland University William Beaumont Future Physician Summer Enrichment Program. The rising prevalence of adolescent obesity necessitates innovative educational strategies that effectively engage high school students in understanding the complex physiologic mechanisms and nutrition concepts underlying its development. This submission presents a session that is designed to integrate the physiological concepts and nutrition that are associated with the development of obesity. Foundational information about the different food ingredients and physiology of the gastrointestinal organ system followed by concepts associated with the development of obesity and its complications were introduced. The session was delivered using combined educational approaches such as a dialogical-narrative approach and hands-on application activities by two discipline experts, physiology and nutrition. This innovative approach was well received, as evidenced by high satisfaction rates among participants. While direct measures of critical thinking and practical skills development were not captured, the positive feedback suggests that students appreciated the engaging, hands-on application of theoretical concepts. The sessions fostered an awareness of personal health responsibilities, with students actively participating and connecting learned material with practical scenarios. We believe that using combined educational approaches in interdisciplinary team-teaching sessions promotes inclusiveness and interactive engagement and enhances long-life learning.NEW & NOTEWORTHY An interdisciplinary team-teaching session was introduced to high school students who participated in the Oakland University William Beaumont Future Physician Summer Enrichment Program. The session aimed to integrate physiological concepts and nutrition that are associated with the development of obesity. The session was delivered using combined educational approaches including a dialogical-narrative approach and hands-on application activity that are guided by combined learning theories such as dialogism, narrative, theories of engagement, and multimedia active learning.

Hands-on Activities to Engage Students in Muscle Cell Structure and Function

Hands-on Activities to Engage Students in Muscle Cell Structure and Function

Is everything everywhere? A hands-on activity to engage undergraduates with key concepts in quantitative microbial biogeography.

The ubiquity and ease with which microbial cells disperse over space is a key concept in microbiology, especially in microbial ecology. The phenomenon prompted Baas Becking's famous "everything is everywhere" statement that now acts as the null hypothesis in studies that test the dispersal limitation of microbial taxa. Despite covering the content in lectures, exam performance indicated that the concepts of dispersal and biogeography challenged undergraduate students in an upper-level Microbial Ecology course. Therefore, we iteratively designed a hands-on classroom activity to supplement the lecture content and reinforce fundamental microbial dispersal and biogeography concepts while also building quantitative reasoning and teamwork skills. In a class period soon after the lecture, the students formed three-to-five-person teams to engage in the activity, which included a hands-on dispersal simulation and worksheet to guide discussion. The simulation involved stepwise neutral immigration or emigration and then environmental selection on a random community of microbial taxa represented by craft poms. The students recorded the results at each step as microbial community data. A field guide was provided to identify the taxonomy based on the pom phenotype and a reference to each taxon's preferred environmental niches. The worksheet guided a reflection of student observations during the simulation. It also sharpened quantitative thinking by prompting the students to summarize and visualize their and other teams' microbial community data and then to compare the observed community distributions to the idealized expectation given only selection without dispersal. We found that the activity improved student performance on exam questions and general student satisfaction and comfort with the biogeography concepts. Activity instructions and a list of needed materials are included for instructors to reproduce for their classrooms.

Scoping review of teaching methods for inquiry-based learning in Japanese elementary schools: focusing on the “period for integrated studies”

ABSTRACT This study highlights research trends and teaching methods in inquiry-based learning in Japan’s elementary school curriculum of the “period for integrated studies” by conducting a scoping review of existing literature. Thirty papers that focused on teaching methods for inquiry-based learning were reviewed, and five subthemes were identified: (i) formulation of questions, (ii) enhancement of hands-on activities, (iii) expression, (iv) reflection, and (v) discussion. These methods focus on interactions among children and identify issues and concerns related to their daily lives. Based on these considerations, they also emphasize enhanced experiences, particularly children’s hands-on activities. These methods enhance the process of inquiry, with children reflecting on their learning and thinking and engaging in discussion. Inquiry-based learning with the characteristics of child-centred education can be observed in prior research on integrated studies, with the results focusing on question formulation and discussion. Such trends in Japan may provide case studies that contribute to international discussions on inquiry-based learning.

Virtual Labs for Postsecondary General Education and Applied Science Courses: Faculty Perceptions

General education science courses at a Canadian postsecondary institution implemented Beyond Labz virtual science labs. Faculty members teaching vocational science-related courses tested this resource. This qualitative study explores faculty member and learner perceptions of the efficacy of these virtual labs in terms of ease of use, designing hands-on activities, student engagement, and accessibility. Data are collected via a focus group, surveys, meetings, and interview notes. The study found that learners and faculty members may have different perceptions of the importance of virtual labs for the development of various skills. From the data, five themes emerge related to addressing the needs of diverse learners and utilizing multiple affordances of virtual labs. Although science virtual labs are perceived as a useful tool for teaching and learning science, faculty members identify barriers such as the need to develop digital literacy skills and initial training and institutional support when introducing new tools. Recommendations for effective science virtual labs curriculum integration are included.

Online Resources for Teaching Astronomy

The Internet has transformed the teaching of astronomy. In the past, instructors were mostly reliant on printed textbooks, 35-mm slides, and their own lecture notes. Depending on local resources they might also be able to incorporate labs, hands-on activities, and use of small telescopes. Now they can choose from a wide, and occasionally bewildering, array of online resources to augment what they do in the classroom. A challenge is to find tools that are either evaluated in peer-reviewed publications or have proven their efficacy in other ways. A selective list is provided.

Community Cultural Wealth and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Identities as Motivators for Black Boys to Participate in a High School Academy of Engineering

Researchers have emphasized how the high school STEM-themed career academy model benefits ethnically and racially diverse learners by promoting positive STEM identities and raising the interest of students to pursue STEM college and career pathways. The purpose of this study was to examine the reasons why Black boys participated in a high school academy of engineering. We were also interested in identifying academy features that helped promote (or inhibit) positive STEM identities among Black male students. In this qualitative study, we used data from 17 Black male high school academy of engineering students. We analyzed the interview transcripts using a constant comparative method. Using an embedded case study approach, we compared our findings to the community cultural wealth (CCW) factors and the factors that researchers have found to influence students’ STEM identities. We found that the participants brought six forms of capital with them that served as sources of motivation to participate in the program. The forms of capital that were related to the CCW framework included aspirational, familial, navigational, resistance, and social. While we did not uncover linguistic capital in our data analysis, we did find an additional source of capital that was not reflected in the CCW framework. We found that the Black boys had natural STEM talent based on the formation of STEM identities. The students had high aptitudes in STEM-related subjects, and they were engaged by participating in hands-on activities. We recommend that schools integrate STEM curricula for Black boys and provide Black men to serve as STEM role models through guest speaking opportunities, job shadowing, mentoring, internships, and other work-based learning experiences.

21 МАРТ СВЕТОВЕН ДЕН НА ГОРАТА

This article presents an innovative interdisciplinary open lesson conducted on March 21, 2024, in celebration of World Forest Day. The lesson aimed to provide students with comprehensive knowledge about forests and their ecosystems, including the processes of erosion, the diversity of plant and animal species, and the importance of environmental preservation. The methodology combines theoretical learning with practical activities, such as planting seeds and observing forest biodiversity, both in the classroom and in a real forest environment. The lesson was divided into two parts: the first part included a presentation on the significance of forests, interactive discussions, and creative tasks using artificial intelligence tools. The second part involved a field trip to a local forest park, where students engaged in hands-on activities like tree planting and cleaning up the forest. The expected outcomes were to enhance students’ understanding of the natural environment, instill a sense of responsibility towards nature, and develop practical skills in environmental conservation. The interdisciplinary approach, integrating subjects such as science, physical education, language arts, and technology, provided a holistic learning experience that emphasized the interconnectedness of different areas of knowledge and the importance of protecting our planet.

Changes in high school students attitudes toward health sciences following a hands-on outreach STEM program.

Despite attempts to diversify healthcare workplaces and education, racial and ethnic minorities (REM) remain underrepresented in these fields. This study investigated changes in high school students' health science interest following a single exposure, hands-on anatomy laboratory visit. One hundred and eighty-eight high school students participated in a single day, one-hour visit to a human anatomy laboratory on a university campus. Participants engaged in hands-on activities centered around both human and animal specimens led by university mentors. Using a modified Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics-Career Interest Survey (STEM-CIS) questionnaire, health science STEM interest was calculated before and after the visits and compared using a paired t-test (α = 0.05). A 2 × 2 ANOVA (α = 0.05) was run on pre-to-post-visit interest score differences with factors of Race (White/REM) and Gender (Male/Female) to determine if race/ethnicity and/or gender moderated the gains observed. Overall, health science STEM interest increased significantly from pre- to post-visit (p < 0.001), and these gains were greater in REM students (p < 0.05) but did not differ as a function of gender. These findings indicate that a single visit to an anatomy laboratory with hands-on activities can be used as a tool to engage high school aged students in STEM and may be particularly beneficial for racial/ethnic minority students, potentially influencing health science STEM interest.

Perceptions of Secondary Level English Teachers on In-Service Teacher Training: A Narrative Inquiry

Teacher training is one of the major components of continuous professional development (CPD) which makes the teacher stay updated and informed regarding the innovative pedagogy and methodology. In-service teacher training is a systematized planning or program through which teachers refresh or upgrade their professional knowledge, skills, and practice. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of secondary-level English teachers on in-service teacher training. The study assessed the perception of the teacher towards in-service teacher training. The study adopted a narrative inquiry methodology. Five participants were selected purposively from Godawari Municipality, Lalitpur. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and after transcribing, translating, and classifying them, the data were analyzed thematically. Self-efficacy theory developed by Albert Bandura has been applied to analyze the study. The findings of the study indicated that teachers were positive towards in-service teacher training. They opined that in-service training supported them in their professional development to conduct different hands-on activities effectively in their classrooms, and after this school-based training, they updated themselves with innovative pedagogy and methodology. The teachers demanded regular in-service training based on their needs. Further, teachers focused on ICT-based teacher training rather than theory-laden conventional training but they were not satisfied with the top-down approach of in-service teachers training packages. The study concludes that research needs to be carried out on the impacts on students' performance through teacher training.

Eco-print Exploration As An Effort To Improve Writing Ability Based On Project Based Learning (Pjbl)

The low ability to write procedure texts for making eco-prints for students in grades V and VI is caused by several things that must be observed. This is due to students' lack of understanding of procedural texts, difficulty communicating knowledge in written form, and difficulty composing effective sentences. This research aims to analyze Eco-print exploration activities as an effort to improve writing skills based on project-based learning (PjBL) integrated with Tri-N (niteni, niroake, nambahi). Tri-N concert encourages students to have the ability to observe and scrutinize an object or the stages of the Eco-print process. Then, imitate with a bank that will eventually grow creativity and innovation. This research uses the narrative method to describe the steps of making eco-print, which serves as teaching material to improve students' writing skills. The data collection technique in this research is using observation, interview and documentation techniques. The research findings show that Eco-print exploration activities with the stages of the work creation process are able to explore, narrate the stages, and ultimately foster the ability to write a narrative based on project-based learning (PjBL) integrated with Tri-N (niteni, niroake, nambahi). Through the narrative approach, it can improve students' writing skills, especially in terms of writing descriptions and creativity. The implications of this study highlight the potential of using hands-on activities, such as eco-print making, to improve students' writing skills and enhance their understanding of the writing process.

Let’s Edit: Using Wikipedia Edit-a-thons as Vehicles for Information Literacy

This article explores the integration of Wikipedia into information literacy instruction through the use of edit-a-thons, highlighting its potential despite historical skepticism from librarians. Wikipedia's mission aligns with librarianship’s core values of providing free access to information, yet its open-source nature challenges traditional notions of authority and reliability. The article advocates for leveraging Wikipedia as a tool for active learning, specifically to enhance students' understanding of the American College and Research Libraries’ (ACRL) information literacy frames. By hosting edit-a-thons, librarians can engage students in hands-on activities that improve their skills in evaluating sources and understanding authority. The article provides practical recommendations for conducting successful edit-a-thons, including creating Edit Guides, embracing the social aspects of these events, and using Wikipedia-Integrated Outreach Dashboards for program evaluation. Ultimately, it argues that Wikipedia can significantly contribute to information literacy education and suggests strategies for librarians to effectively incorporate it into their instructional practices.

Physics card games to support knowledge organization: design considerations and teachers’ attitudes

Despite the positive effects of gamification on student motivation and learning outcomes, there are still widespread concerns that ‘playing games is merely fun’ and have no added value, thus making teachers hesitate about incorporating games into their teaching. This paper describes Phys-Cards games, designed as a summative hands-on activity that highlights physics concepts through a ‘contrast and compare’ task in a game context. The Phys-Cards games were presented in a national network of professional learning communities (PLCs) for high school physics teachers. The teachers first played the games and then reflected on their experiences after they implemented them in their classrooms. Surveys and an analysis of the teachers’ reflections indicated that they valued the Phys-Cards games and reported that the games contributed to students’ conceptual understanding and knowledge organization. However, teachers faced challenges such as team size and composition, how to best monitor different groups, and timing in the instructional sequence. In their discussions during the PLC meetings, the teachers identified the features of the games that best promotedmeaningful collaborative learning and suggested productive ways to incorporate the games into their teaching.

An effective Caenorhabditis elegans CRISPR training module for high school and undergraduate summer research experiences in molecular biology.

Engaging in research experiences as a high school or undergraduate student interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is pivotal for their academic and professional development. A structured teaching framework can help cultivate a student's curiosity and passion for learning and research. In this study, an eight-week training program was created to encompass fundamental molecular biology principles and hands-on laboratory activities. This curriculum focuses on using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) gene editing in the Caenorhabditis elegans model organism. Through pre- and post-program assessments, enhancements in students' molecular biology proficiency and enthusiasm for scientific exploration were observed. Overall, this training module demonstrated its accessibility and ability to engage inexperienced students in molecular biology and gene editing methodologies.

Inspiring an Early Passion for Science: The Impact of Hands-on Activities on Children's Motivation

Inspiring an Early Passion for Science: The Impact of Hands-on Activities on Children's Motivation

The discourse on technological literacy: exploring visual representations enabled by the visual cultures of four Swedish vocational education and training programmes

In today’s rapidly changing world, technology has profoundly impacted our daily lives, making it increasingly difficult to predict what skills will be necessary for the future. To address this challenge, 21st-century skills have been proposed as a framework for shaping future education, in which one of the skills is technological literacy. How the latter is understood, positioned, and approached is influenced by discourses produced within and among various societal practices, such as the educational system. This article provides a glimpse of the discourse on technological literacy by exploring how “technological literacy” is portrayed within the visual cultures of four Swedish upper secondary VET programs. Our results indicate that the portrayals of becoming technologically literate for VET students vary among the programmes. However, they all emphasise practical and hands-on activities, where students can be seen engaging with various tools, equipment, and objects relevant to each programme’s field of study. Teamwork and peer-to-peer learning are also portrayed as central to these programmes, simultaneously as leadership roles and the distribution of responsibilities among students are commonly featured. While the programmes’ visual portrayals reflect diversity in ethnicity and gender, traditional gender roles are still (re)produced in the pictorials.