This interdisciplinary Greenhouse Project is a new addition to the curriculum at Plymouth Regional High School. Prior to taking the LInC course, there had been no connections between the physical science and construction technology programs, although the instructors had frequently talked about the advantage of making such connections.
In the past, construction technology students have been responsible for constructing several residential dwellings and industrial buildings. During these projects, students have developed skills in framing and finish carpentry, masonry, cement finishing, painting, landscaping, residential wiring, residential plumbing, and other tasks related to the construction industry. This new project will ask students to take on many of the responsibilities previously undertaken by the instructor in terms of planning, estimating, and scheduling the construction project. They will have opportunities to gain skills in the area of construction management that have not previously been open to them.
In physical science, this project will explore areas and meet standards that have previously been neglected in the science curriculum. It will also provide a major, practical, hands-on project that should motivate and make connections to the real world for a group of students that are frequently disenchanted with traditional education. The interdisciplinary format should also expose these students to possible vocational alternatives in their future coursework.
Two other additions that this project will provide is an extensive exposure to technology utilization and research process. The construction technology students previously have had limited exposure to CADD, estimating, and scheduling software. The physical science students have not had an opportunity to utilize technology in any format, although this is one of the six major strands of the science curriculum frameworks. Neither class has had the opportunity to use the library media center to explore print and non-print resources.
Created for the Fermilab LInC program sponsored by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Education Office and Friends of Fermilab, and funded by United States Department of Energy, Illinois State Board of Education, North Central Regional Technology in Education Consortium which is operated by North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL), and the National Science Foundation.
Authors: Ina Ahern, Mardean
Badger, and Doug Ross
School: Plymouth Regional High School, Plymouth, New Hampshire
Created: May 2,1999 - Updated: May 03, 1999
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