Monongalia County science specialist urges blending labs with digital tools

Eric Kinkade, science specialist for Monongalia County Schools, said teachers should combine hands-on laboratory work with digital tools and direct instruction to give students deeper, transferable science skills. “We we we saw the big trend, you know, a couple decades ago moving to all as much of the electronic … and then some people have figured out these aren't always the best option,” Kinkade said. He added that a hybrid approach—using simulations where appropriate but bringing students into the lab to “get our hands dirty”—is becoming more common across middle and high school science classes. Kinkade described his classroom practice as melding lab and lecture: “It's used right during the class time as you get to a concept in the direct instruction sequence, the laboratory reinforces it or it uses exploration, but they're melded together, seamlessly.” The specialist said he is developing model units and professional-development sessions to help teachers plan lessons that teach content and laboratory skills together rather than treating lab work as a separate activity. Kinkade spoke about teachers adopting maker spaces, coding and other new practices alongside traditional lab work and noted that technology—up to and including AI—can supplement instruction but not entirely replace hands-on investigation. Amber Nichols, host of the Motivation and Momentum podcast, asked how teachers can balance rigorous content with engaging labs; Kinkade emphasized planning lessons so laboratory activities directly support immediate instructional goals. He also said the district has teachers offering Advanced Placement biology and that his role includes visiting classrooms across the county to support that integration. The conversation focused on classroom practice and professional development; no formal district actions were announced on the podcast.