In-Touch Science provides informal learning experiences to help children ages 8 to 11 understand the science in their everyday lives. Each science theme is introduced through a hands-on activity in one subject area and is reinforced through a second experience based in a different field of science. By linking concepts common to the paired fields, the program teaches children to make connections between what they've learned in one context and what they observe in another arena. The program targets children enrolled in special needs programs, 4-H clubs, school-age child care facilities, and home schooling. The program engages, supports and sustains community science facilitators, the majority of whom are not experienced educators. They will be trained to work with the children, using the Learning Cycle, a guided discovery strategy. Cornell developed the curricula for three paired disciplines: 1) Engineering and Plant Science, 2) Animal Science and Fiber Science, and 3) Chemistry and Environmental Science. Instructional materials for the project consist of three curricula, a facilitator-training guide, and supply kits.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Charlotte CoffmanDan BrownDaniel Tennessen
WGBH will develop, produce, and distribute Wonders of the Modern World, a project that examines the science and technology behind the building of five international landmarks -- the Golden Gate Bridge, the Aswan Dam, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the Toronto Skydome, and the English Channel Tunnel connecting Great Britain and France. Wonders of the Modern World is an integrated, synergistic project that combines a nationally-broadcast, prime time television series with print, interactive components, and on-line products for home and school. The goals of the project are to educate the public about concepts in physical science, technology, and engineering and to engage youth and adults in a diverse range of science and technology activities using various media ranging from on-line telecommunications to print. The specific components of the project include: o A prime time PBS television series consisting of five one-hour programs that will be hosted by David Macaulay, author of numerous popular books on technology such as How Things Work, Cathedral, Castle, and Pyramid, o A World Wide Web site where users can conduct interactive science and technology activities, o Print guides to help with on-line activities, o Family-oriented video vignettes with experiments in structural design, o Activity kits that include the materials needed for conducting family-based science experiments, o Curriculum-based school videos, o Student/teacher guides that will help interpret the series for classroom use, and o A CD-ROM. WGBH has formed alliances with four national organizations that will undertake a major effort to engage members of underserved and low-income communities in the series and the ancillary activities. These organizations are The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, The Community Technology Centers Network, The Public Library Association, and The American Architectural Foundation. The PI and Project Director will be Paula Apsell, Executive Producer for NOV A and Head of the WGBH Science Unit. Larry Klein, Head of Production Group, Inc., will be the Series Executive Producer and Co-PI. Beth Kirsch of WGBH will serve as Director of Educational Print and Outreach, and Mark Olshaker will be series editor and scriptwriter. Ted Sicker, Executive Producer for Interactive Projects/New Media at WGBH Educational Foundation will direct the development and deployment of the on-line components of the project. Barbara Flagg will conduct formative evaluation and Irene Goodman will conduct summative evaluation.