Activity: Just Like Me

Using an awesome Google Slide Deck presentation, Famous Scientists Through Time, I developed an engaging and culturally relevant activity for you and your students. Just Like Me is a fun activity that can be easily facilitated either in a face-to-face or virtual setting.

Thanks to my dear friend and colleague, Annie Maben who spent a significant amount of time selecting a well-represented group of scientists. Additionally, she hyperlinked each scientist to a student-friendly biographical article. Here are some simple facilitation instructions:

Facilitation recommendations for “in-person” instruction:

1. Line students up in single file, one behind another (no particular sequence necessary) where you have enough designated floor space for students to move to their left of the single file line; OR as you read each individual statement, have student stand up next to their seat/desk.
2. Prior to showing the Google Slide Deck presentation, Famous Scientists Through History, explain to your students the directions for participation:
   • We are going to play a game called Just Like Me.
   • We are going to line up, one person behind another, in single file.
   • I will read a statement. If the statement applies TO YOU, take one step to your left, out of the single file (or stand up alongside your desk). Click here to access the Just Like Me statements.
   • An example might be, “I like to go on nature walks by myself.” If you AGREE with the statement, take one step to your left, out of the single file (or stand up alongside your desk).
   • Are there any questions?
3. Begin reading each statement, pause, and allow students to make their choice and physically move their position or not.
4. After completing the Just Like Me activity, now show the Google Slide Deck presentation, Famous Scientists Through History to the entire class. Be sure to encourage students to use their observation skills as you transition from slide to slide, elaborating on each scientists’ contributions, as indicated on each slide.
5. Upon completion of the slide deck, assign students into paired groups.
   • Provide a tablet or laptop to each group.
   • Assign a particular scientist biography to each paired group.
   • Instruct student pairs to read the short article on their assigned scientist. Ask them to annotate the article (using highlighters, underlining, etc.) for key connections to their own life.
   • Allow time for each pair of students to share what they captured in their reading.
6. After a designated an amount of time for student discourse, pose the following questions to the entire class for discussion:
   • How was your scientist just like YOU?
   • After watching and reflecting on the Powerpoint pictures and biographies, what trends do you notice (including cultural/ethnic/gender trends) as we go through history?

Facilitation recommendations for “virtual” instruction:

1. Using Zoom or Google Groups, ask students to turn on their videos and unmute their microphones.
2. Prior to showing the Google Slide Deck presentation, Famous Scientists Through History, explain to your students the directions for participation:
   • We are going to play a game called Just Like Me.
   • I will read a statement. If the statement applies TO YOU, use the “hand raise” feature each time a statement applies to you.

• An example might be, “I like to go on nature walks by myself.” If you AGREE with the statement, use the “hand raise” feature.
• Are there any questions?

1. Begin reading each statement, pause, and allow students to make their choice and respond using the hand raise feature.
2. After completing the Just Like Me activity, Now show the Google Slide Deck presentation, Famous Scientists Through History to the entire class in the general Zoom or Google Groups session. Be sure to encourage students to use their observation skills as you transition from slide to slide, elaborating on each scientists’ contributions, as indicated on each slide.
3. Upon completion of the slide deck, break students up into breakout group pairs.
   • Assign a particular scientist biography to each breakout group.
   • Instruct students to click on the hyperlink of the assigned scientist, download the biography to their desktop, and read the short article on their assigned scientist. Ask them to annotate the article (using PDF document highlighters, underlining, etc.) for key connections to their own life.
   • Allow time for each pair of students to share what they captured in their reading.
4. After a designated an amount of time for student discourse, close all breakout rooms and bring students back into the general session. Pose the following questions to the entire class for discussion:
   • How was your scientist just like YOU?
   • After watching and reflecting on the Powerpoint pictures and biographies, what trends do you notice (including cultural/ethnic/gender trends) as we go through history?

Please take time to share this resource with a fellow colleague.

Stay healthy and safe! Dean