This project is aimed at perfecting and testing a new instructional method to improve the effectiveness of introductory physics teaching. the methods has two chief characteristics: 1) a systematic challenge to common sense misconceptions about the physical world, and 2) an emphasis on models and modeling as basic to physical understanding. Two versions of the method will be tested. The first version is designed especially for high school physics. It emphasizes student development of explicit models to interpret laboratory activities. After an initial test, this version will be taught to high school physics teachers in a summer Teacher Enhancement Workshop, and its effect on their subsequent teaching will be evaluated. Teachers with weak as well as strong backgrounds will be included. A special effort will be made to include females and minorities. The second version will be tested in a special college physics course designed to prepare students with weak backgrounds for a standard calculus based physics course. It emphasizes modeling techniques in problem solving. This project is jointly supported by the Division of Materials development, Research and Informal Science Education and the Division of Teacher Preparation and Enhancement.
Hands-On Science Outreach, Inc. has for a number of years developed and operated recreational after school and Saturday Science Classes for children, at first in Montgomery County, MD; and subsequently, with NSF support, at more than 22 sites around the country. During the last 10 years, they have reached more than 20,000 students with their unique collection of hands-on science activities. The project is well on the way to becoming self sufficient, and this final award will document both the philosophy of instruction and specific teaching methods that they have used and provide a third party evaluation of the processes of learning that they encourage in informal science education programs. Hands-On Science Outreach, Inc. will publish two 32 page booklets outlining their history, philosophy, and methods, and will conduct a third party evaluation of classes in four demographically diverse sites around the country, carried out under the direction of Dr. Harris Shettel, a nationally recognized informal education researcher. The resulting reports and publications will be widely disseminated, providing valuable information to others planning to offer hands-on science activities for children.
Scientists and engineers are an underutilized resource in motivating students and assisting classroom teachers in teaching science. Pilot programs have demonstrated the value of preparing scientists for what to expect when they enter the classroom, how to incorporate the school curriculum into their program, and how best to reach the goal of making their visits a "never to be forgotten" life changing experience for students. The concept of a Survival Kit is an outgrowth of a Scientist-in-Residence program at the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science which has successfully matched scientists and public school classrooms locally since 1982. The North Carolina Museum of Life and Science proposes to conduct meetings for staff and outside educational specialists to identify the materials and strategies needed to prepare scientists to enter school classrooms. The final report of these meetings will include mechanicals of a Scientist Survival Kit, which can be disseminated across the country, and an evaluation report of how the kits can be and are used. Dr. Mark St. John, Inverness Associates, a professional evaluator noted for his work with nationally significant science education projects, will provide local and national evaluation through surveys and meetings to give a picture of the issues involved in establishing and maintaining programs of scientists in the schools and the role played by the Scientist's Survival Kit in furthering this aim.
The Museum of Science and Industry seeks to facilitate the establishment of a network of Independent science clubs. Located in Chicago's south side, the Museum operates an in-house science club which has over many years developed a large investory of activities. The members themselves, drawn from a broad socio-economic base, have contributed much of the content and character of this hands-on program. Now, in response to chicago's pressing local need for strong equity programming in science and technology education, the Museum proposes to "package" this club such that local chapters can readily be sent up throughout the city land region, especially in community centers, churches and Park District recreation centers. The club "package" will include: Modules of learning activities for various ages with supporting materials and equipment; Museum-coordinated trips to research and industrial sites; gatherings at the Museum; training of club facilitators; and adaptable organization format with an accounting system; recruitment of volunteers as helpers and role models; substantial help with fund-raising. NSF support is sought for the establishment of the modules and system, and the Museum commits itself to on-going maintenance and coordination of the network. The Science Club Network will draw extensively on existing programs, community networks and support systems. The Museum has already elicited many commitments of financial and other support for local chapters.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Roger MitchellMark WagnerSheridan Turner
Through the proposed project, approximately 555,000 youth and adults will improve their knowledge of the basic sciences and mathematics, and learn to integrate and apply these disciplines, by analyzing local environmental problems using remote sensing imagery and maps. Faculty from the Cornell laboratory for Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing (CLEARS) and Cornell Department of Natural Resources will train county teams of teachers, museum and nature center educators, community leaders, and Cooperative Extension agents from throughout New York State to conduct educational programs with youth and adults in their communities. Previously developed CLEARS educator enrichment workshops and training materials will be enhanced and revised based on the interactions among Cornell Faculty, informal and formal science educators, and students during this program. A facultative evaluation focusing on the workshops, training materials, and educator teaching skills, and a summative evaluation focusing on student learning and attitudes, program delivery in the various community education settings, and the effectiveness of the county educator teams will be conducted. The results of the evaluation will be incorporated into a program handbook and used in nationwide dissemination of the program.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Eugenia BarnabaMarianne Krasny
resourceprojectProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
The middle school years are critical in determining a student's success and continued participation in mathematics. This proposal involves the expansion of MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) model to the junior high/middle school population in the State of Washington. The project will focus on updating and revitalizing middle school mathematics curriculum, the goal being to increase minority student enrollment in algebra in the ninth grade. The MESA model also recognizes the need for teacher support and provides teacher seminars on a regular basis. Additionally, the expansion of the statewide Pre- College Center at the University of Washington will include the coordination of a statewide program at the junior high/middle school level. The MESA model is based on a partnership between industry and educators--a cooperative effort involving scientists on loan from industry, educators at the university level and educators at the secondary school levels working together to develop curricula that will stimulate student interest and achievement in mathematics and science. The staff for the project is well qualified with experience in the MESA program and in curriculum development and teacher training. The proposal addresses a clear need for improving minority mathematics education in middle/junior high schools and promises to have an impact throughout the nation for all students by serving as a model academic program. The project goals are consistent with the Instructional Materials guidelines. Therefore, an award is recommended.
The Franklin Institute Science Museum will, over a three year period, develop a regional Girl Scout leader training programthat provides science education experiences for Girl Scouts. The Girl Scout Council of Greater Philadelphia and the Washington Rock, NJ Council will be primary partners and the source of volunteer leaders and the target audience of member girls. Science Education kits will be developed and tested for Brownies and Juniors, training materials for staff trainers and volunteer leaders developed, leaders trained, and several post.training support mechanisms developed. Program materials are designed for continued use by the Girl Scouts; more than 2,000 leaders will be trained and 20,000 girls will participate in project activities during the three year period. This project is directed at the substantial under representation of women in many science and engineering fields by working with girls in informal settings to overcome patterns of science and mathematics avoidance. Replication and dissemination will be undertaken both within the Girl Scout Council system and among museums, youth organizations, and other informal educators. The proposers are contributing nearly $250,000 in resources to the project; NSF support will be 55% of the project total.
The Council for the Advancement of Science Writers (CASW), a nonprofit organization of scientists and science writers, will provide an additional four years of New Horizons In Science briefings for science reporters and editors. These annual briefings, which have been conducted since 1963, bring together leading researchers in the most active areas of science and engineering with science journalists to educate journalists about the latest developments in scientific discovery and inquiry, and to allow the two groups to interact with each other to discuss common aspects of the public understanding of science. Each year, the CASW Briefings engage more than a hundred science journalists from around the country with more than a dozen speakers reflecting as many fields of scientific discovery. The activities cover all fields of science and engineering and are carefully constructed to reflect a variety of points of view within disciplines. This standard award for three years will allow CASW to develop independent long.term funding for the series. Evaluation and marketing studies will take place in each of the next four years. More than $100,000 in additional project support will be provided by the CASW and other New Horizons sponsors.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
William Cromie
resourceprojectProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
The Institute of Science and Society at Central Washington University plans a series of six workshops during 1991 on issues involving science and technology which are of current interest in the State of Washington. The purpose of the series is to inform public officials on critical issues where science plays a central role. Thus, state legislators, city and county executives, excutives in key state and local governmental agencies,judges, attorneys, the news media, and corporate executives will be invited to participate. The workshops will be conducted at Central Washington University, the state capitol in Olympia, or other locations which are easily accessible or relevant for the workshop topic (e.g., hosting a workshop on radioactive waste at the Battelle-Hanford Pacific Northwest Laboratory).
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Mike McCormack
resourceprojectProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
The Scientists Institute for Public Information (SIPI), a non profit organization of scientists and media professional that works to strengthen reporting of science, will organize annual briefings for television news directors and producers by leading scientists during the next three years. Each year 35- 50 local news directors from across the country will meet face- to-face with nationally prominent scientists for two days of discussions of leading stories in science, health and the environment. Science is underreported on commercial television, and this targeted intervention has a substantial opportunity to directly improve the quality and quantity of science reporting by America's television industry. SIPI's Media Resource Service has developed an international reputation for its provision of scientific and technical sources for journalists. The prototype TV News Director's Briefing, held March 10-12 1989, demonstrated in a practical way the potential of the project, reaching 35 key journalists from 17 states. The briefings will be attended by a geographically distributed group of professional scientists and journalists who are well supported in their discussions by extensive pre-meeting work by SIPI staff. Extensive news coverage of the topics discussed will take place and be documented by SIPI staff. A continuing evaluation study by an independent contractor will analyze the impact of the briefings on the participants. NSF support will amount to 28% of the $660,000 project total.
Community Television of Southern California (KCET/Los Angeles) proposes to create a national television series supported by outreach activities designed to motivate parents to participate in and support children's learning and enjoyment of mathematics. This proposal requests National Science Foundation funding of $1 million towards a total twenty-two month project costing approximately $1.7 million. The proposed television series Math Smart (working title) will include 5 lively half-hour programs designed specifically to aid parents and other adult family members of children in first through third grade. The series will be offered for broadcast nationally on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). Videocassettes of the series and an accompanying Resource Guide will also be made available for home use. National promotional and outreach activities will complement the PBS broadcast, including presentations of national educational conferences and one-day orientation workshops for parents and teachers at selected sites. Over the course of the project, process and outcome evaluation will be conducted to ensure the effectiveness of the MATH SMART materials and activities. The primary goal of the MATH SMART Project is to empower parents to participate in and reinforce the learning of mathematics and a vital par t of everyday life. It is from parents that children develop the foundation for their educational success. Unfortunately, many parents do not possess the mathematical skills or confidence needed to help their children. By providing examples of hands-on learning activities which families can do together at home, MATh SMART offers parents the tools to help excite young children about mathematics. While special emphasis will be given to encouraging minority participation, this project seeks to help all parents and other primary caretakers prepare children for the 21st century.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
David Crippens
resourceprojectProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
The proposers will organize and conduct the first of what is hoped will become an Annual Symposium on Children's Science Books that will focus national attention on this important and overlooked channel for science literacy. This first two day symposium will involve 75 editors, authors, librarians and educators in an intensive exploration of science books intended as independent or collateral reading materials for children at home, classroom or library. A national advisory committee will help shape the symposium's content. Professional and popular articles and a book will disseminate the results of the meeting. This project will explore an often-overlooked area of popular science education, and will involve science researchers committed to participating in improving popular education and communication in science. NSF support will be supplemented by university funds and income from the symposium.