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Description: Global Lab: An Integrated Science Program, a year long, interdisciplinary science course for grades 7-9, gives students the skills to become lifelong investigators of the world around them. Developed with support from the National Science Foundation, Global Lab introduces students to science as inquiry through collaborative scientific investigations. Students choose their own local "study sites" as the context for their investigations, and they are increasingly responsible for the design and completion of them. Throughout Units I-V, students analyze their sites from biological, physical, chemical, and geographic perspectives. They create qualitative descriptions, take quantitative measurements, analyze remotely sensed images, and work with physical and biological models. They begin the year with guided explorations, thus acquiring critical-thinking, communication, information literacy, and investigative skills. The Global Lab year concludes with extended investigations that students design and conduct themselves. Curriculum materials support teachers as they facilitate student research. |
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Developer: Publisher: Grade Levels: 7-9 Cost: Global Lab Curriculum (w/Teacher Guide and 26 student books for 5 units) plus a one-yer subscription to the Web site: $1300. |
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Over 300 schools in 30 countries have participated in an evaluation of the Global Lab curriculum. In addition, SRI International conducted a two-year evaluation of student learning with Global Lab that documents improvements in scientific inquiry as measured by written assessments. The report also shows that students developed positive attitudes toward science, gained understanding of scientific habits of mind (curiosity and perseverance), and gained understanding of the role of collaboration in scientific inquiry. In addition to SRI's report, Ruben (1994) and others have reviewed Global Lab education projects, concluding that these programs do have the potential to teach inquiry. |
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"A two-year study showed improvements in scientific inquiry."
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