Big Ideas
This section will highlight the main objectives and outcomes that the participants should gain from their class each week.
Discussion Points
This section will provide you with discussion points that can help you get conversations started with your participants about that week’s topic. This is a good way to debrief an activity and transition between each section of the class.
Hands-On Activity
The title and brief description of the activity for each week will be listed here. The instructions will be provided in the subsequent pages and will utilize the 5E Curriculum Model. You can read more about the 5E model on the next page.
Each activity should be tailored to your local area.
The 5 E’s
Each lesson plan is organized using the 5E Model, a research-based curriculum model often used in STEM curriculum. Read more about the model below.
FAQs
At the end of each section, a list of frequently asked questions about that week’s topic is provided with answers for your reference.
“The 5E Model of Instruction includes five phases: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. It provides a carefully planned sequence of instruction that places students at the center of learning. It encourages all students to explore, construct understanding of scientific concepts, and relate those understandings to phenomena or engineering problems.” –Rodger Bybee
Engage
First, the instructor presents a question, scenario, etc. and provides instruction for the activity. This phase activates the students’ prior knowledge of the subject and prepares them to meaningfully engage with the content.
Explore
In this phase, the instructor serves as a facilitator. The instructor provides an opportunity for the students to explore the material, discuss with their peers, and complete the main activity. This may be a physical activity like a propagation lab or a more abstract activity like a facilitated discussion.
Explain
This phase is completed in two parts. First, the instructor asks students to share about their experience, take-aways, etc. Then, the instructor provides additional information to fill any knowledge gaps or to clear up any misconceptions.
Elaborate
In this phase, the instructor facilitates the application of the new information that was just learned. This may include asking questions or inviting discussion about how the topics covered relate to other concepts or to their own gardens.
Evaluate
This phase may be occurring simultaneously with the other phases if the instructor is continually evaluating the students’ learning. However, it may also be a formal assessment. Either way, this phase should be used to assess students’ learning and adjust or improve future instruction.