SIR World Languages Investigation Abstract
KIDS' INSTITUTE TAKES SCIENCE EXPLORERS TO BILINGUAL CLASSROOM
Presenter:
Sandra Garcia, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; sandrag@imsa.edu
Advisors:
Socorro Cintron, Foreign Language, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; cintron@imsa.edu; 630-907-5901
Britta McKenna, Coordinator of Kids Institute, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; britta@imsa.edu; 630-907-5987
Abstract:
IMSA's Kids' Institute is able to reach into the community and spark kids imaginations through school visits, summer camps, and virtual publications. Unfortunately due to a language barrier, many kids in the Chicagoland area have not been able to take full advantage of the programs offered by the Kids' Institute. How can we expand the Kids' Institute to benefit bilingual classrooms? After surveying bilingual classroom teachers in the Chicagoland and Aurora areas, the best of the Science Explorers curricula was chosen according to the needs described by the surveys. From a list of physics, biology, earth science and chemistry, teachers chose physics, biology, and earth science as a priority. The best of the curricula has been translated into Spanish and compiled into a binder that will compliment classroom lessons. This compilation of “the best of Science Explorers” underwent several revisions to ensure appropriate translations of the lessons. Each lesson includes hands-on activities as well as a vocabulary section to strengthen the concepts learned. Originally, the purpose of this inquiry was to translate the curricula as it stood for classroom teachers to use as a resource. This idea evolved and a more efficient concept emerged. The material was rewritten in “kid-friendly” terms allowing both students and teachers to benefit from it. The binder will be distributed to classrooms in the community.