Hands-On Science in Pasadena: Changing a Large School System

该项目将在帕萨迪纳联合学区的所有小学教室中开设一门以探究为基础的实践科学课程。该区是城市、多元文化和多种族的。该区的合作伙伴加州理工学院（Caltech）是一所卓越的研究型大学。他们的共同努力将使用加州理工学院和帕萨迪纳一所试点学校四年来非常成功的合作伙伴关系所证明的方法。对教师的初步教育将以小组形式进行，每个小组由一名导师教师和一名志愿科学专业人员领导。在这些小组会议期间，教师将有机会调查他们将在课堂上使用的工具包材料。小组将在合作学习的环境中使用这些工具包，而共同领导则强调实践教学的哲学和方法，以及与每个工具包相关的科学主题。在学年期间，资源教师将在课堂上与教师一起工作，并在小组会议上与他们会面。在这些课程中，教师将能够探索其他科学单元，并与他们的同事交流经验和想法。项目的总费用分摊将是国家科学基金部分的200%。

This project will initiate a hands-on inquiry-based science curriculum in all the elementary school classrooms of the Pasadena Unified School District. The District is urban, multicultural and multiracial. The District's partner, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), is a preeminent research university. Their combined effort will use a method proven during four years of a very successful partnership between Caltech and one Pasadena pilot school. The initial education for teachers will be presented in small groups each led by a mentor teacher and a volunteer science professional. During these group meetings the teachers will have an opportunity to investigate kit materials which they will use later in their classrooms. The small group will work through the kits in a cooperative learning environment, while the co- leaders emphasize the philosophy and methods of hands-on teaching as well as the scientific subject matter which relates to each kit. During the school year, resource teachers will work with teachers in their classrooms, and meet with them during group meetings. At these sessions teachers will be able to explore other science units and exchange experiences and ideas with their colleagues. The total cost sharing for the project will be 200% of the NSF portion.