Guest Speakers - In Person vs Virtual Field Trips ...

We were fortunate to have a representative from Southern Energy Management (www.southern-energy.com) come and speak to our 8th grade Science classes on 10.26.12. We were able to see a solar water pump, cross sections of solar panels and do math calculations using a manometer to determine leakage in our gym.  WOW!  My 8th graders went hands-on with today's technology regarding renewable resources.  This picture was taken after explaining the use of infrared technology to determine energy lose.  Did you know that your plugged in cell phone charger at home is using up energy ... even when it is NOT plugged into your phone?!?

(3rd Block - A Day)

With all that being said, where do you stand on the issue of guest speakers in person or virtual field trips? There is nothing like being there and experiencing. My students can attest to that. Virtual field trips do allow for a 21st century means to interact digitally.  However, is that engaging to a class of 25+ middle schoolers?  So what do we do as nonrenewable resources see their prices soar and class sizes enlarge?