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Description: Students will make use the "Science Project Helper" web page to help them choose and follow through each step of their required science projects. They will use the internet for information gathering, publishing, and feedback.
Subject: Physics, honors and regular levels
Grade Level: High school, most of the classes are a mixture of sophmore, juniors, and seniors. Two classes of freshman physics will be tried this coming year (97-98) which will then take chemistry followed by advanced biology.
Learner Description: The students at Whitney Young Magnet High School come from a variety of skill levels although all had to pass an entrance exam. About 8% of those who apply are accepted. By race, the student population is about 45% afro-american, 25% asian, 20% hispanic, and 10% caucasian.A survey of last year's (1996-97) students indicates a widespread negative attitude towards a mandatory science project.
Time Frame: Three school years. Students will be required to do a science project in every science class except AP classes. The science project will be assigned mainly as an outside learning experience culminating in the Chicago science fair which usually takes place in early January.During the second half of the year, they will be required to publish their findings on the web and make critiques of other student's projects. The web pages produced in the first year will be used to provide ideas to students in the next year.
Learner Outcomes: The addition of internet technology will bring new excitement to the science project requirement. It will help to transform a dry requirement into a enabling activity that fosters creativity, participation, and a greater connection to the wider community. In addition, students will learn computer skills such as how to "surf the net" (some of them never have), and how to create web pages. This will allow them to review each others work, receive help from outside sources, and in a small way to re-create the way science is actually done.These possibilities will greatly enhance the training in the scientific method and help make it a unifying theme throughout the year's curriculum.