The SSI Files: Virtual Life Science Investigations for Middle School Students

描述（由申请人提供）：SSI文件的主要目的：中学生虚拟生命科学调查是设计，开发和评估一个独特的，引人入胜的在线程序和支持课程材料。在SSI文件中，学生扮演科学家的角色，作为研究团队的一部分，在一个吸引人的和现实的交互式3D环境中工作。学习环境提供了一个钩子，通过解决神秘案件，让学生参与具有挑战性和复杂的生命科学主题。通过虚拟环境中的科学家社区提供嵌入式指导和支架，以支持学习。该项目与NIH的使命相关，因为它将促进科学教育，科学素养和对科学如何进行的理解。重要的是，普通民众必须在基本科学原理方面打下坚实的基础，以便他们能够运用这些知识促进和维持健康的生活。该项目围绕四个目标展开：1。设计和制作基于探究的教学材料，这些材料与国家科学教育标准（NSES）保持一致，补充选定的采用生命科学的七年级教科书单元，提供高生产价值，并针对网络交付进行优化; 2.与目标学生及其教师测试这些教材的成效; 3.制定和实施项目第二阶段的计划;以及4.准备一份最终报告第一阶段的学习环境将包括一个模块，用于测试该方法在实现项目目标方面的可行性和有效性。第一阶段的研究将集中在以下问题上：这种方法（丰富的故事情节，3D环境，高生产价值）是否可以有效地配置为基于Web的交付？测试模块对学生学习有效吗？学生们觉得它吸引人吗？这种方法是否满足教师的需要（易于实施，有效的教学工具，符合课程和时间表的要求）？公共卫生相关性这个基于软件的互动课程名为SSI文件：中学生虚拟生命科学调查与NIH的使命相关，因为它将促进科学教育，科学素养和对科学如何进行的理解。重要的是，普通民众必须在基本科学原理方面打下坚实的基础，以便他们能够运用这些知识促进和维持健康的生活。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary aim of The SSI Files: Virtual Life Science Investigations for Middle School Students is to design, develop, and evaluate a unique, engaging, online program and supporting curriculum materials. In The SSI Files, students play the role of scientists working as part of a research team within an appealing and realistic interactive 3D environment. The learning environment provides a hook to engage students with challenging and complex life science topics through solving mystery cases. Embedded guidance and scaffolding to support learning is provided through a community of scientists within the virtual environment. This project is relevant to the NIH's mission as it will foster science education, science literacy, and an understanding of how science is conducted. It is essential that members of the general population have a solid grounding in basic scientific principles so that they may apply this knowledge to promote and maintain a healthy life. The proposed project is organized around four goals: 1. to design and produce inquiry-based instructional materials that are aligned with the National Science Education Standards (NSES), supplement selected adopted life science 7th grade textbook units, offer high production values, and are optimized for Web delivery; 2. to test the effectiveness of these materials with members of the target student population and their teachers; 3. to develop and implement a plan for Phase II of the project; and 4. to prepare a final report. The Phase I learning environment will consist of one module that will be used to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the approach in meeting the goals of the project. Research in Phase I will focus on the following questions: Can this approach (rich storyline, 3D environment, high production values) be effectively configured for Web-based delivery? Is the test module effective for student learning? Do students find it engaging? Does this approach meet the needs of teachers (easy to implement, effective teaching tool, fits within curriculum and schedule requirements)? PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE This software-based interactive curriculum titled The SSI Files: Virtual Life Science Investigations for Middle School Students is relevant to the NIH's mission as it will foster science education, science literacy, and an understanding of how science is conducted. It is essential that members of the general population have a solid grounding in basic scientific principles so that they may apply this knowledge to promote and maintain a healthy life.