Учительница из Конкрета изучила динозавров в Монтане, чтобы научить детей критическому мышлению

CONCRETE — Concrete Elementary School teacher Lisa Dills spent part of her summer studying fossils in Montana, and said she plans to bring a new perspective on scientific thinking back to her students. This summer, Dills traveled to Hell Creek, Montana, as part of a field experience with the Burke Museum. She was one of about 25 teachers from throughout the country who participated. Hell Creek has one of the highest concentrations of dinosaur fossils in rocks formations in North America. Dills is a science specialist for students in transitional kindergarten through fifth grade, and has been teaching in Concrete for about 10 years. She said one of the most meaningful parts of her summer experience was thinking about how she could bring her newfound knowledge back to students. During the trip, Dills participated in field observations, fossil work and documentation, practiced using field notebooks and GPS, and learned about the geology and paleontology of the Hell Creek Formation, a rock formation rich with fossils. While there, Dills saw the Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary, which marks the transition from the age of reptiles to the age of mammals. The asteroid that hit the area and made dinosaurs extinct about 66 million years ago left a high concentration of iridium in the ground, more than would occur naturally anywhere on earth. The iridium-rich clay layer in Hell Creek helped scientists link the asteroid impact to the extinction of dinosaurs. Dills said now that school has started, she is finding ways to incorporate pieces of her experience into her teaching. “I want students to experience science not simply as information in a textbook but as something people actively investigate through careful observation, questions, evidence, documentation and discovery,” she said. Dills said that in Montana she felt like a student again. She said sometimes learning goes slower than you want it to and that the learning process is never fully linear — and she wants her students to know that is normal. She said being in an open desert taught her observation skills in a new way — to not only notice what you see but also what you don’t see — and said she wants to bring newfound observation and data collection skills into her classroom. Dills said with technological advancements, notably artificial intelligence, it’s easier than ever for information to be at everyone’s fingertips. Shes said she wants to be sure that her students keep their critical thinking skills sharp — to process, question and vet information using critical thinking and observation skills in every aspect of their lives. Back in class, Dills will also have Burke Boxes provided by the museum. Each contains fossils, specimens and hands-on activities for students.