"The professional development workshops I attended have had a profound impact on my science instruction in the classroom. It has transformed my science instruction by enhancing my understanding of the subject, introducing innovative teaching strategies, fostering collaboration, promoting critical thinking, and encouraging continuous reflection. These changes have not only improved my teaching but have also enriched my students' learning experiences in science with the use of Gizmos!"
– Michelle Reeves, Teacher
When ExploreLearning received this feedback from Science Success Grantee Michelle Reeves about her use of Gizmos and the support from our professional development (PD) team, we wanted to learn more about Reeves and her work in the classroom.
Originally from Brownsville, Texas, she was raised in the vibrant northern part of Mexico. She and her husband, Stefan, have two children, Robert and Aryah. Reeves was a college soccer player, serving as the starting goalie for the women's college soccer team. “In my final two years of college, I had the opportunity to play at a semi-professional level in Tyler, Texas,” she said.
As a proud Army spouse, she has been teaching for seven years across various grade levels and content areas in multiple states. Reeves currently teaches 4th-grade science and ELA small groups at Reagan Royals Elementary, part of the Rogers Public School District in Rogers, Arkansas. “My journey has been diverse and fulfilling, from igniting curiosity in Math, ELA, Social Studies, and Science at the elementary and middle school levels to inspiring students as a Spanish teacher and soccer coach at the high school level,” she said.
Reeves holds a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelor's of Science in Biology with teaching certifications that span across Early Childhood and Elementary levels (K-6). “I am Gifted and Talented endorsed, AVID 3-6 certified, and hold a Spanish World Language Teaching Certification. I am further enhancing my skills by pursuing a Specialty in Education and ESOL endorsement, demonstrating my dedication to staying updated and relevant in education,” Reeves said.
The impact of Gizmos’s professional development
Through her involvement as a Science Success Grantee, Reeves participated in professional development sessions including preparation and follow-up activities. “The grant's financial support allows for the implementation of innovative teaching methods that can transform students' learning experiences,” said Reeves. Teachers attend workshops, implement Gizmos in lesson plans, and provide constructive feedback on their effectiveness in the classroom. “While the time commitment was quite reasonable, it did necessitate thoughtful planning to integrate these new tools seamlessly into my existing curriculum,” said Reeves.
She felt that the science professional development sessions were beneficial and applicable, which is something all teachers want from PD. “I could immediately adapt the learning experience with my current standards to cover and modify assessments and guided mini-lessons, among other strategies,” she said.
Reeves felt the PD associated with the program was particularly valuable to equip educators with the skills and knowledge to utilize Gizmos effectively. This training fosters a collaborative environment where teachers can share best practices and learn from one another, ultimately enhancing their instructional strategies. She also found the ongoing support and resources provided through PD to ensure the latest teaching methodologies were crucial for maintaining a high-quality educational experience.
“Overall, the combination of engaging tools like Gizmos, the supportive framework of the Science Success Grant, and comprehensive PD creates a robust environment for fostering student success in STEM education,” Reeves said. “The strategies I've learned through the Science Success Grant have enriched my teaching practices, enabling me to create a more engaging and effective learning environment. For instance, I've incorporated Gizmos into our science curriculum by using them to introduce new topics or reinforce lessons. The ability to connect abstract concepts with real-world applications makes learning more meaningful for my students.”
Integrating Gizmos in the classroom
The Gizmos science grant program was a game-changer for Reeves. “I effectively applied what I learned from the program by incorporating Gizmos simulations into my lesson plans, allowing students to engage with concepts dynamically. This integration has made my lessons more enjoyable and has significantly enhanced student comprehension,” she said.
Reeves felt Gizmos engaged her students through interactive virtual labs and helped them develop a deep understanding of complex science through inquiry and exploration. “Gizmos promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills, allowing students to tackle real-world challenges as they assume the roles of STEM professionals," she said. “The fun part is that everything is guided from introduction to closure. However, if you have a lesson of your own, you may implement it like I occasionally do.” She also used Gizmos in the Expand portion of the 5E Model in her lesson plans to help students grasp the concept more in-depth.
How Gizmos contributed to student success
What did Reeves notice about Gizmos and student success? “Gizmos provides a dynamic and interactive platform that significantly enhances student learning in the classroom by fostering engagement and understanding through visual and hands-on experiences,” she said.
Gizmos allow students to share insights and discuss findings through collaborative learning. Reeves found that this worked to boost communication and teamwork skills. The customizable assessments and progress-tracking tools help educators individualize instruction to meet student needs. She said, “By integrating inquiry-based learning approaches, Gizmos empowers students to ask questions, explore hypotheses, and engage in critical thinking. Ultimately, this cultivates a deeper understanding of the subject matter and prepares students for future academic challenges.”
The world’s largest library of interactive simulations
With more than 550+ Gizmos covering STEM topics for grades 3-12, students can dig deeper into subjects and really understand challenging concepts. “These simulations allow students to experiment with concepts in a safe, risk-free environment, enabling them to visualize complex processes and phenomena,” said Reeves.
Real-time data & feedback
Gizmos incorporate real-time data and feedback, allowing teachers to instantly personalize and differentiate instruction using real-time data and heatmaps that monitor and assess students’ learning as it happens. Students can see the results of their actions immediately and adjust. “This enhances their comprehension and retention of the material,” said Reeves.
Inquiry-based learning for deep understanding
Gizmos help students get a real grasp of concepts as they perform investigations, make predictions, and prove hypotheses. Reeves saw the impact of Gizmos with her students. “The frequent use of Gizmos in the classroom can significantly enhance student learning and engagement, making science more accessible and providing resources to support STEM education in schools,” she said.
Enhancing student engagement and building a love for STEM
Teachers want students to learn new skills and concepts, but the ultimate goal is to develop a lifelong love of learning. With Gizmos, Reeves saw the benefits of playing with the simulations to see how things work in real life. “My students genuinely enjoy the hands-on learning experience that Gizmos provides. One of our bright young minds recently expressed it perfectly: ‘I love how we can play with the simulations and see how things work in real life!’ This quote beautifully captures their enthusiasm for the interactive learning opportunities that Gizmos facilitates,” she said. “They appreciate that Gizmos allows us to learn in a fun and engaging way, especially when field trips are not possible due to our location or budget limitations.”
Gizmos brings math and science to life with hundreds of interactive ‘what-if’ experiments, where students learn by seeing, doing, and reasoning. STEM topics become more understandable and relatable. Reeves saw the difference that can make.
“It warms my heart to see their excitement and to know that they value the chance to explore and experiment through simulations. These moments remind me of the joy of learning together, and I am incredibly proud of my students for embracing this innovative approach to education,” she said. “I look forward to continuing our exploration, discovery, and enjoyment of the learning journey with Gizmos!”
Teaching STEM can include the same exploration, discovery, and enjoyment of learning to your classroom with Gizmos. Start your free trial. Your journey awaits!
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