Evaluation of Alternatives for Assessing Science Process Learning by Elementary School Children

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This study will explore alternative testing methods to meet the demands of the hands-on approach to science teaching. Because of the critical importance of early science education, the grantee will work with fifth grade students. The investigative technique will be observation of a hands-on scientific investigation, scored by scientists and science teachers. The investigation will compare four surrogates with this method: (1) computer simulation of a hands-on test, (2) hands-on test with written responses, (3) free response pencil and paper test, and (4) multiple choice test. The data may prove to be of great value in designing cost-effective, practical tests that closely approximate the expensive, logistically difficult, hands-on tests with scientists as observers.