Using Graphic Organizers and Virtual Field Trips

 Graphic Organizer Used:

https://www.mindomo.com/mindmap/how-are-rockets-designed-and-tested-at-nasas-langley-research-center-cf9e12d7e4b74ca6ba9889bfa6cf5335

        I decided that I would use the virtual field trip model as part of our unit plan on rockets. I set the virtual field trip to NASA’s Langley Research Center with my class. The Mindomo graphic organizer was an important instructional tool to guide the student groups on their exploration of rocket design and the testing process. At the start of the virtual field trip, I introduced the central question: “How are rockets designed and tested at NASA Langley Research Center?” This essential question was placed at the heart of the graphic organizer in order to help students focus on the main objective of the trip. As we navigated through different sections and buildings within the research center, the organizer helped structure the learning by breaking down complex abstract concepts into more manageable subtopics. Each subtopic was then further divided into key concepts and ideas related to the subtopic. For instance, under the main sub-topic of the “Design Process,” we had three key concepts related to the design process. These were “Conceptualization,” “Material Selection,” and “Design”. This provided a clear pathway for students to follow.

        Throughout the experience, the graphic organizer facilitated active learning and student engagement. By visually mapping out the details of rocket design and testing, students were able to see the connections between different stages of the process and understand how each part contributed to the overall objective. After each building exploration, we revisited the graphic organizer to review what we had learned. We discussed any new insights regarding the central question, a subtopic of a key concept we wanted to add or remove. This approach reinforced students’ understanding and encouraged them to critically review how theoretical knowledge is applied in real-world scenarios. The graphic organizer was used as an effective tool for reinforcing learning, reiterating key concepts, helping students understand the subtopics' interconnectivity and empowering them to take ownership of their learning experience by actively participating in the class discussions during the field trip. 

References

Mindomo (n.d.). Collaborative Mind Map Software. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://www.mindomo.com/

NASA (n.d.). NASA Langley Research Center Virtual Tours. Retrieved December 17, 2024, from https://oh.larc.nasa.gov/oh/

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