Episode 79 - Janelle Hollingshead - Proportional Reasoning, Modeling Tips and the AMTA "Coffee Hour"

Episode 79 - Janelle Hollingshead - Proportional Reasoning, Modeling Tips and the AMTA "Coffee Hour"

From Science Modeling Talks by Mark Royce

April 1, 2026 · 33 min · Episode 79

About this episode

Mark talks with Janelle Hollingshead about modeling instruction and proportional reasoning in science education.

Mark talks with Janelle Hollingshead about her introduction to modeling instruction, including learning about "for every" statements, which help students to understand the concepts they discuss, as opposed to just getting the correct answer to a question. They talk about using proportional reasoning with students rather than giving them steps to solve problems as a means of developing their thinking. They talk about how teachers might incorporate modeling methods into their classes even when they do not have control over their curriculum. Janelle talks about how she listens to the words students use to describe phenomena to really get an idea of what they're thinking. Guest Janelle Hollingshead Janelle Hollingshead majored in chemistry and music, and lives in Wisconsin, where she teaches chemistry and physics. She leads a monthly coffee talk with AMTA for teachers to talk about modeling in their classrooms and schools. She is working with Larry Dukerich and Brenda Royce to update chemistry teacher materials with solutions using proportional reasoning, along with traditional solutions.   Highlights [21:59] Janelle Hollingshead "I think it's important to be a part of a…

People in this episode

Host: Mark Royce

Guest: Janelle Hollingshead

Topics covered

  • modeling instruction
  • proportional reasoning
  • teacher methods
  • student understanding
  • science education

Keywords

  • modeling instruction
  • proportional reasoning
  • science teaching
  • student engagement
  • AMTA coffee hour

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: AMTA

Places: Wisconsin

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