Material Sciences (Chemistry for Middle School)

Leading team

Dr. Zahava Scherz

Prof. Bat Sheva Eylon

R&D team

Hanna Margel, Dr. Malka Yayon, Dr. Marcel Freillich, Debby Somech, Merav Kfir

Summary

The "material sciences" for Middle School (grades 7-9) project started in 1994 and resulted in the development of: (a) a series of learning and teaching materials as part of the MATMON curriculum (1996-2002) and(b) a new revised series of MATMON HADASH curriculum (new MATMON) since 2010.

Within this development we conceptualized: (a) the sequence of the "material sciences" curriculum materials (b) methods for developing a sound understanding of the "great ideas" in the domain, (c) approaches to make the learned materials relevant to the student, aiming towards achieving literacy for all and (d) Research based pedagogies to support meaningful learning, and teaching (e.g. integrating contents and high order skills, student-based approach, using IT and a variety of approaches to meet students' diversity) .

The development was based and followed by research that focused on students' conceptualization of the structure of matter, using a longitudinal conceptual methodology, in which we analyzed students' challenges and progressions of the particulate model : from particles to atoms and molecules. We also studied the feasibility and potential contribution of using models (e.g. "the black box") and high-resolution microscopes such as the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) as a learning tool about the particulate model of matter in middle school science.

Related articles

  • Margel H., Eylon B. and Scherz Z.*, "'We actually saw atoms with our own eyes': Conceptions and convictions in using the scanning tunneling microscope in junior high school", Journal of Chemical Education, 81(4), 558-564, 2004 .
  • Margel H., Eylon B. and Scherz Z.* "From Textiles to Molecules – Teaching about Fibers To Integrate Students' Macroscpic and Microscopic Knowledge of Materials", Journal of chemical education, Vol. 83, 1552-1557, 2006 .
  • Margel H., Eylon B. and Scherz Z.* "A longitudinal study of junior high school students' conceptions of the structure of materials", Journal of Research in Science Teaching., 45(1), 132-152, 2008 .
  • Yayon M. and Scherz Z.*, "The Return of the Black Box", Journal of Chemical Education, 85( 4), 541-543, 2008.

Related materials (in Hebrew)

  • Nussbaum, J. "Particles and Vacuum", Student book, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 2000.
  • Yechieli, T. & Nussbaum, J. "Particles and Vacuum", Teacher Guide, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 2000.
  • Yaion M., Margel C. and Scherz Z., "Elements and Compounds – Inside the Atom", Student book, 231 pgs, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 2001.
  • Elran, K., Shchrai, Z., Yaion M., and Scherz Z., "Elements and Compounds – Inside the Atom", Teacher guide, 166 pgs., The Weizmann Institute of Science, 2001.
  • Elran, K., Shchrai, Z., Yaion M., and Scherz Z., "Elements and Compounds – Inside the Atom", Teacher guide, 166 pgs., The Weizmann Institute of Science, 2001.
  • Margel, H. "about Fibers", Yaion M., Margel C. and Scherz Z., "Elements and Compounds – Inside the Atom", Student book and teachers' guide, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 2001.
  • Sa'ar L., Kesner M. & Scherz, Z. "The Paints Rout – Materials in Industry" (Student book & Teacher guide), 148 pgs. The Weizmann Weizmann Institute of Science, 2003.
  • Somech, D. Kfir, Merav, Levy-Nahum, T. & Scherz, Z.. (2013) Materials – the Journey, In B. Eylon, A. Yarden & Z. Scherz (Eds.), Exploring Matter and Energy (Vol. 1), (A student text, a digital book and a teacher guide, The Amos de-Shalit Israeli Center for Science Teaching), grade 7.
  • Kfir, M., Somech, D. & Scherz, Z. (2013). Particles – the Journey , In B. Eylon, A. Yarden & Z. Scherz (Eds.), Exploring Matter and Energy (Vol. 1), (A student text, a digital book and a teacher guide, The Amos de-Shalit Israeli Center for Science Teaching), grade 7.
  • Freillich, M. & Scherz, Z. (2013). Elements – the Journey , In B. Eylon, A. Yarden & Z. Scherz (Eds.), Exploring Matter and Energy (Vol. 2), (A student text, a digital book and a teacher guide, The Amos de-Shalit Israeli Center for Science Teaching), grade 8.
  • Freillich, M. & Scherz, Z. (2013). Elements – the Journey , In B. Eylon, A. Yarden & Z. Scherz (Eds.), Exploring Matter and Energy (Vol. 2), (A student text, a digital book and a teacher guide, The Amos de-Shalit Israeli Center for Science Teaching), grade 8.