Career Research Project: A MS Integrated Science Lesson

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Kelly Galbraith, Denyse Mohn

Title of Lesson: Career Research Project        

Course Name:  Integrated Science

Grade Level:  8

Author’s Name:  Denyse Mohn

School District:  Annville-Cleona School District

PA Academic Standards for Science and Technology
3.2. Inquiry and Design
3.2.7.C.: Identify and use the elements of scientific inquiry to solve problems.
  • Generate questions about objects, organisms and/or events that can be answered through scientific investigations.
  • Evaluate the appropriateness of questions.
  • Design an investigation with limited variables to investigate a question.
  • Conduct a two-part experiment.
  • Judge the significance of experimental information in answering the question.
  • Communicate appropriate conclusions from the experiment.
3.8. Science, Technology and Human Endeavors
3.8.7.A.:  Explain how sciences and technologies are limited in their effects and influences on society
  • Identify and describe the unavoidable constraints of technological design.
  • Identify changes in society as a result of a technological development.
  • Identify and explain improvements in transportation, health, sanitation and communications as a result of advancements in science and technology and how they affect our lives.
3.8.7.B.:  Explain how human ingenuity and technological resources satisfy specific human needs and improve the quality of life.
  • Identify interrelationships between systems and resources.
  • Identify and describe the resources necessary to solve a selected problem in a community and improve the quality of life.
  • Identify and explain specific examples of how agricultural science has met human needs and has improved the quality of life.
PA Academic Standards for Career Education and Work
13.1. Career Awareness and Preparation
13.1.8.A. Relate careers to individual interests, abilities, and aptitudes.
13.1.8.B. Relate careers to personal interests, abilities, and aptitudes.
13.1.8.E. Analyze the economic factors that impact employment opportunities, such as, but not limited to: competition, geographic location, global influences, job growth,  job openings, labor supply, potential advancement, potential earnings,   salaries/benefits, unemployment.
13.1.8.F. Analyze the relationship of school subjects, extracurricular activities, and community experiences to career preparation.

13.2. Career Acquisition (Getting a Job)
13.2.8.B. Evaluate resources available in researching job opportunities, such as, but not limited to:  CareerLinks, Internet (i.e. O-NET), networking, newspapers,  professional associations, resource books (that is Occupational Outlook Handbook, PA Career Guide).
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
  • Understand the connection between science content and the knowledge base required for the career being researched.
  • Identify training and skills necessary to secure a position in the career being researched.
  • Identify the opportunities the selected career provides for training and advancement.
  • Identify the salary and benefits associated with the selected career.
  • Explain what a typical day in the life of someone in the selected career would look like.
Instructional Procedure
Day 1Individual Student ResearchStudents use website resources to identify a desired career to research.  Students should have their chosen career approved by the teacher.
Day 2Student Presentation PreparationStudents will put a brief presentation together compiling the information obtained in their research specifically addressing the following:
  1. What the career is:  This includes a description of the career itself, skills or tasks that one performs in this career, and any additional information that you feel is relevant to this area.
  2. The educational/training requirements:  What level of schooling is necessary?  Are there any special tests or exams?  (Examples:  teachers need to pass Praxis Level 1 and Praxis Level 2 exams; a truck driver needs to have a special driver’s license)  Are there any physical or personal requirements? (Examples:  the ability to lift heavy loads; the ability to solve complex math equations)
  3. Opportunities for advancement:  (Examples:  Nurse to nurse trainer; pet store cashier to pet store manager)
  4. Salary/Earnings/Benefits:  Include vacation time, medical benefits, retirement plans, flexible hours, annual pay increases, etc.
  5. A typical day in the life of …”:  A description or list of tasks that one would perform in a typical day.
Formative Assessment
Student presentations using Google Slides (will be presented to class if time permits)
Materials Needed
Assignment Directions, Handouts and Grading Criteria
References
8th Grade Career Project 


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