I am looking forward to trying some new things in this project with my 5^th grade gifted class.  My Integration Project is going to be an extension of the Genetics PBL Project my co-teacher and I recently started.  So far, our students have researched different genetic disorders and they chose one to investigate further for their project.  One aspect of the project has the students creating a Public Service Announcement to bring awareness or a project board (think Science Fair style) to demonstrate their learning.  The students have really shown an interest as they know some people who have some of the genetic disorders they researched, which made a personal connection with them.

My Integration Project will be an extension to what they’ve learned and occur after they create their PSA or project board.  It includes:

• Week 1:  The students will be given scenarios from mock patients who have an undiagnosed genetic disorder.  They will choose one and diagnose what genetic disorder the “patient” has.  After that, the students will identify difficulties the patient may have at home and school, and provide suggestions and recommendations for how they can cope in these environments based on their research.  They will then write their “doctor report.”
• Week 2:  The technology comes into play here.  The students will post their “doctor report" onto Titanpad (sort of like Google Docs).  Here they will collaborate, revise, and edit their writing pieces with other groups.  The critique and revision is a big part of PBL and STEM projects, and this is a new way I’m trying to fulfill that.
• Week 3:  The students will be taking their critiques and suggestions from Titanpad and completing their writing.  A gallery walk of the finished products could be a nice way to wrap it up and give the students an audience for their work.

    One concern I have for the project is that I don’t see the class as often as I would like.  We currently do a pull out model for our gifted and “high flyer” students, and I see my 5^th graders once a week.  Also, benchmark testing has cut some of these class periods shorter.  Another concern I have is with Titanpad.  I have never used it and I hope that it’s beneficial to their project.  I don’t just want to use it just for the sake of having technology be a part of it.