Welcome to The Discovery Den!
5th Grade Science Class
We, as scientists of Mrs. Cotten's class, strive to explore, dream and discover in our class, also known as "The Discovery Den". Throughout the year, we investigate our questions, implement our ideas, and learn about our world through the use of technology, collaboration with scientists, problem solving, creative engineering and artistic expression. We conduct research outdoors and enjoy project-based learning. We love to pay it forward and aim to protect our environment and help others through advocacy projects each year.
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Mrs. Cotten is a PUBLISHED SCIENTIST!
Click this Link to read her manuscript published by the Texas Academy of Science in the Texas Journal of Science in 2022. She and her students found new Tardigrades to Texas and reported their findings! Way to go Hill Dillos! And yay for Water Bears (Tardigrades)!
(Below is a screen shot of the first page. Email Mrs. Cotten for a PDF copy, or if you want to collaborate or learn more about tardigrades!)
Mrs. Cotten is a life long learner and recently explored and learned in the Peruvian Amazon and Penang Hill in Malaysia with world renowned ecologist, Dr. Meg Lowman. Additionally, in 2019, she studied under Dr. Miller, the Director of Student Research at Baker University, to learn more about tardigrades and how to conduct biodiversity surveys in the field. Afterwards, she traveled to several tropical rainforests around the world to carry out microscopic animal field research. Additionally, she taught students in Oma, Panama, more about our world and how to study the amazing life of our world through scientific study. For more information, visit her blog by clicking here.
Recently, Mrs. Cotten also received the Texas Medical Association Science Educator of Excellence award. She received $1,500 personally, and $1,000 for her science classroom and curriculum. She traveled to a variety of locations to carry out scientific exploration and learn alongside scientists. She currently also writes lesson plans for JASON Learning and Feld Entertainment. Lessons include STEM activities for the Jurassic World Live Tour and Monster Jam.
Take a look at a few fun shots of students in action in The Discovery Den:
Recently, Mrs. Cotten also received the Texas Medical Association Science Educator of Excellence award. She received $1,500 personally, and $1,000 for her science classroom and curriculum. She traveled to a variety of locations to carry out scientific exploration and learn alongside scientists. She currently also writes lesson plans for JASON Learning and Feld Entertainment. Lessons include STEM activities for the Jurassic World Live Tour and Monster Jam.
Take a look at a few fun shots of students in action in The Discovery Den:
About Mrs. Cotten: Fifth Grade Science Teacher & Professional Harpist
Mrs. Cotten is a fifth grade science teacher at Hill Elementary in Austin. Texas. She loves to travel and learn more about the world wherever she goes. She lives to help make this world a better place and strives to teach her students to ache to learn more about this world and how it works.
She has received many awards, including Teacher of the Year, JASON Learning Argonaut Travel Grant, TMA Science Educator of Excellence, Fund for Teachers Travel Grant, CoSN Highlighted Educator & Speaker at 2018 Conference, AISD Teacher of Excellence, and Profiled Teacher of UT Grads. Mrs. Cotten loves science, especially biology, but she also has many other interests and passions, including music. Music is regularly integrated in the classroom to help with retention of new information, as well create the right mood for a positive learning environment. She loves to sing as well as play the harp. To visit her harpist website, click the picture or link above. |
Isaac Newton wisely noted that, "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." We look to people of the past to inspire us to be the best version of ourselves. Take a look at these moving words of noteable characters from our world:
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." -Carl Sagan
"Creativity is intelligence having fun!" -Albert Einstein
"Every experience is a form of exploration." -Ansel Adams
"Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas." -Marie Curie
"Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds, will continue in others." -Rosa Parks
"Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write." -John Adams
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning." -Albert Einstein
"Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." -Carl Sagan
"Creativity is intelligence having fun!" -Albert Einstein
"Every experience is a form of exploration." -Ansel Adams
"Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas." -Marie Curie
"Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds, will continue in others." -Rosa Parks
"Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write." -John Adams
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning." -Albert Einstein
"Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science." -Ralph Waldo Emerson