INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS 

Field Test of Exploring Inherited and Acquired Traits
SCIENCE AND LITERACY ACTIVITIES

Thank you for participating in the BCM science and literacy curriculum field test! Your contributions will help us refine a developmentally appropriate, inquiry-based science instructional unit centered around plant adaptations, and designed to enable students to read, write and speak as budding scientists.

If you have any questions about the field test, please email us at edoutreach@bcm.edu.

NOTE: The field test requires 10 consecutive classroom days (2 weeks) and can be conducted any time before June 7, 2024.

BEFORE YOU START:

• WEBSITE: Begin by checking out the project site. It has to access all resources and PDFs of the lessons.

Site URL: https://sepa-g4-traits.ceobcm.org

STEP 1 – ASSIGN ID NUMBERS:

• DOWNLOAD SCIENTIST ID and ATTENDANCE SHEET: This PDF is on the project site and will be used to keep track of your children’s ID numbers and participation in each day of the unit.
  (1 copy is included in your materials if you would prefer to use paper).
• ID NUMBERS FOR YOUR CHILDREN (to protect identities):
  • Assign each child an ID number and record on the Scientist ID and Attendance PDF.
  • Give each child a set of stickers with their ID number
    • If using numbers 1-30, we have provided pre-printed stickers in your materials
    • If using other numbers, there are blank stickers in your materials
  • Sticker #1 should go on the front of each child’s science journal so they can remember to include it on all other forms.
  • Sticker #2 can go on the Scientist ID and Attendance Sheet if you choose to print it out.
  • Stickers #3 will go at the top of each child’s Weekly Report 1
  • Stickers #4 will go at the top of each child’s Weekly Report 2

STEP 2 – PRE-ASSESSMENT:

• SURVEYMONKEY PRETEST: You have a personalized URL for all online assessments for this project. Please DO NOT use another teachers’ links! These are specifically for your class.
  • Use your 8-digit ID number to access your personalized URL:
    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Grade4BCMTraitsPREtest_[8-digit ID #]
  • Give your students the pretest. Make sure students record their ID numbers (NO NAMES!) at the beginning of the test.
  • Read the questions to them if you need to, but do not answer any questions. Let them know they will find out the answers over the next few weeks! Record the date on the Form Return Packing Slip (front pocket of binder).

 STEP 3 – TEACH THE LESSONS:

• DAILY – TEACHER LOGS: Complete the project log for each day (URL BELOW). Please try to complete the log on the same day as the lesson, as it may be difficult to remember the information otherwise.
  • Log URL: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024DailyLogPlantTraitsG4

• WEEKLY – STUDENT REPORTS: These PDFs are on the project site. At the end of each project week, students should complete a short reflection page – the Weekly Reports.

(1 copy of each is included in your materials if you prefer to use paper or photocopy).

• Make sure students use their Scientist ID number on each report
  • Stickers for paper forms (in your materials)
  • Type in on PDF (download forms on project website)

 STEP 4 – POST-ASSESSMENT:

• POSTTESTS: Once all of the project days are completed, give your students the posttest using your personalized link
  • Your personalized URL:
    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Grade4BCMTraitsPOSTtest_[8-digit ID #]
    Please make sure students use their Scientist ID number at the beginning of the test.

STEP 5 – RETURN FORMS:

• UPLOAD PROCESS: You will use the secure BCM Box Upload link to return all PDF and/or scanned images of your paper forms.
  • Name all uploads using your ID number
  • Upload link: https://shorturl.at/hilV3
• FORMS TO RETURN:
  • SCIENTIST ID and ATTENDANCE SHEET: Please remove (delete, redact or cut off) student name column from the form.
  • CULMINATING PROJECTS: Please redact student names and identifying information and return scanned copies of the student projects.
  • WEEKLY REPORTS: Upload all student weekly reports.

STEP 6 – POST-EVALUATION: The link to the project post-evaluation will be on the website in early May. Please do not complete the post-evaluation until AFTER you have completed all field test lessons.

TO RECEIVE YOUR $1,000 STIPEND, YOU MUST:

1. Return the following forms to BCM with ID numbers included: 

• Scientist ID and Attendance Sheet with student names removed
• Student Pretests (SurveyMonkey)
• Student Week One Reports
• Student Week Two Reports
• Students’ culminating project books with names and identifying information (e.g., school name, address), removed.
• Student Posttests (SurveyMonkey) 

2. Complete all 10 Daily Logs (see project website)

3. Complete the project post-evaluation (link will be on project site in early May 2024).