Improving Urban Elementary Science: A Collaborative Approach

本项目将负责设计一个以自然世界为实验基础，提高学生批判性思维、语言运用和解决问题的能力的程序。由于城市系统面临着极其复杂的问题，科学计划是专门针对这些系统。克利夫兰和旧金山将在开发工作中充分合作。洛杉矶、匹兹堡、费城和波士顿将提供输入和反馈，以确保该计划满足在各种州和地方授权下运行的许多城市系统的需求。该项目将由教师发展团队为K-6年级设计24- 36个以活动为基础的模块。在选择要探索的自然现象时，该项目将尝试平衡生命、物理和地球科学，并在适当的情况下将体验基地与城市环境联系起来。新模块将通过教师对现有材料的审查来通知；并将科学与其他基础课程相结合，特别是语言艺术和数学。波士顿学院考试、评估和教育政策研究中心将作为外部评估机构。台达教育有限公司将出版教材，并协助设计和传播。在4年的开发阶段，达美将为该项目投资约200万美元，并在开发后继续提供营销援助和教师发展援助。

This project will undertake the design of a program to improve students' abilities to think critically, use language, and solve problems using the natural world as an experimental base. Since urban systems face extremely complex problems, the science program is specifically aimed at these systems. Cleveland and San Francisco will collaborate fully in the development effort. Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Boston will provide input and feedback, to insure that the program meets the needs of a number of urban systems operating under a variety of state and local mandates. The project will involve teacher development teams in the design of 24- 36 activity-based modules for grades K-6. In choosing the natural phenomena to be explored, the project will try to balance life, physical, and earth sciences, tying the experiential base to the urban setting where appropriate. The new modules will be informed by teacher review of existing materials; and will integrate science with the rest of the elementary curriculum, particularly language arts and mathematics. Boston College Center for the Study of Testing, Evaluation and Educational Policy will serve as the outside evaluator. Delta Education, Inc. will publish the materials as well as assist in the design and dissemination. Delta will invest approximately $2 M in the project during the 4-year development stage, and continue to provide marketing assistance and teacher development aid following development.