How do you make difficult science concepts stick in a young learner’s mind? Explore their real-world application through news stories! In this course, learners will read weekly news stories and identify the basic science concepts at hand. Weekly news stories that include earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics will be selected. They will also critically analyze the stories and be challenged to understand what it means for our lives and the world around us. 

Learners will gain this understanding through our dissection of the underpinning themes of society, planet, politics, and culture within the stories. Using my background in science, medicine, sociology, and experience from time living and working in international cultures, I will expand on these themes to give learners a deep understanding of how everyday events shape our collective wellbeing.

Each week, learners will be expected to read at least one news story of personal interest to them plus one that I will assign to the group in my weekly announcements in the Classroom which will be posted by 11:59 PM CST every Sunday. At the beginning of class, learners will have the opportunity to share their story with peers. In the second part of class I will lead a lecture-discussion about the assigned news story covering its basic science and greater impact on society and the planet.  

As we analyze the assigned news story, learners will be challenged to clearly present their viewpoints and engage in friendly debates with peers about various points. The goal of this exercise is for students to learn how to confidently assert their position in conversations and support their opinion to the degree that they can sway the views of others. This is an invaluable skill both in speaking and writing. 

At the end of every session, learners will summarize and present the main takeaways from the news story in the feature, “This Week in News…”. This will be a timed exercise to help learners develop the skills of thinking on their feet, public speaking, and providing a brief, comprehensive overview. 

CLASS STRUCTURE:
10 Minutes – Students presentation of weekly current events of interest to them. 
40 Minutes – Teacher led interactive lecture on the basic science behind the news story and how the themes of society, planet, politics, and culture underpin its greater impact.
10 Minutes – “This Week in News…” Learner recap of key takeaways from assigned news story.

I'm a medical journalist that has lived and practiced in the US and overseas. I've also taught middle and high school science since 2006. 

We will use NewsforKids.Net for kid-level news stories.