A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Achieving the Goals--Goal 5- First in the World in Math and Science Technology Resources - November 1996

Smithsonian Institution

Harvard-Smithsonian Case Studies in Science Education

The project will create a series of 25 half-hour video case studies accompanied by written guide materials, for use in K--8 preservice and in-service teacher education programs. The project's primary goal is to create visual models of science education reform, and to provoke discussion and critical analysis by the audience of the issues surrounding their application in real-life classrooms.

Nancy Finkelstein
60 Garden Street, Mail Stop 71
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 496-7687
Fax: (617) 496-7670
e-mail: nfinkelstein@cfa.harvard.edu

InSIGHT: Investigative Stimuli for Intuitive Growth Using High Technology

InSIGHT focuses on advanced high school and introductory college physics courses. The project seeks to identify aspects critical to the design of computer simulations for teaching sophisticated physical concepts to students in introductory physics classes.

Philip M. Sadler
60 Garden Street, Mail Stop 71
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-9798
Fax: (617) 495-5405
e-mail: psadler@cfa.harvard.edu

MicroObservatory

The MicroObservatory project focuses on grades 9--12, and will develop a network of portable, automated, CCD-based (charge-coupled device) reflecting telescopes, accessible to students at their schools and over the Internet. A prototype instrument has been built, and five have been assembled to form a nationwide pilot network.

Steve Leiker
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
60 Garden Street, MS71
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-9798
Fax: (617) 496-5405
e-mail: sleiker@cfa.harvard.edu

National Science Resources Center's Resource Collection

The National Science Resources Center maintains a comprehensive and growing collection of effective science teaching resource materials. Housed at the Arts and Industries Building of the Smithsonian Institution, the collection holds more than 5,000 volumes. The resource collection is cataloged and accessible through computerized information data bases that include annotations as well as bibliographic data. The Resource Center has also produced an annotated guide to elementary science resources, entitled Resources for Teaching Elementary School Science. A companion for middle schools is also being developed.

Douglas Lapp, Executive Director
National Science Resources Center, MRC 403
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC 20560
(202) 357-2555
Fax: (202) 786-2028
e-mail: dlapp@nss.edu

NSRC Elementary Science Leadership Institutes

Each summer the National Science Resources Center conducts two Elementary Science Leadership Institutes at the Smithsonian Institution. These institutes provide teams of administrators, curriculum specialists, teachers, and scientists from school districts across the country with the information and skills they need to develop and maintain effective hands-on elementary science programs. The institutes are staffed by science educators and scientists who have implemented exemplary elementary science programs in their districts. This initiative includes technical assistance to school districts across the country that are working to reform their elementary science programs.

Douglas Lapp, Executive Director
National Science Resources Center
MRC 403
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC 20560
(202) 357-2555
Fax: (202) 786-2028
e-mail: dlapp@nss.edu

The Private Universe Project

The Private Universe Project is developing a six-part nationally broadcast television series to help science teachers address student preconceptions in science. The 3-year project, funded in 1992, focuses on grades K-12. The series is derived from work pioneered in Project STAR: Science Teaching through its Astronomical Roots, and is an extension of that project's award-winning video, A Private Universe. The goal is to alert science teachers to problems arising from their students' preconceived ideas and will encourage them to devise solutions tailored to students' specific needs.

Nancy Finkelstein
60 Garden Street, Mail Stop 71
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 496-7687
Fax: (617) 496-7670
e-mail: nfinkelstein@cfa.harvard.edu

Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Regional workshops and summer institutes conducted in collaboration with local institutions are designed to strengthen ties between museums and schools nationwide and to contribute to the improvement of teaching methods and materials. Summary courses for metropolitan District of Columbia-area teachers were taught by educators from through-out the Smithsonian on a variety of subjects.

Ann Bay
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Smithsonian Institution
Arts and Industry Building, Room 1163
Washington, DC 20560
(202) 357-2425 or (202) 357-2111
Fax: (202) 357-2116
e-mail: eseem013@fivm.si.edu

Project ARIES: Astronomy Resources for Intercurricular Elementary Science

ARIES was funded in 1992 for three years and its initial focus is on grades 3-4. The project will develop a modular, hands-on, discovery-based, intercurricular, multicultural physical science program using astronomy as the central focus. Teacher enhancement videos will also be developed to parallel the curriculum.

R. Bruce Ward
60 Garden Street, Mail Stop 71
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-9798
Fax: (617) 495-5405
e-mail: bward@cfa.harvard.edu

Project DESIGNS (Doable Engineering Science Investigations Geared for Non-science Students)

This program, funded by National Science Foundation, develops modules of design-based activities using design- to-constraints and testing against nature. It is targeted for inclusion in grades 6-9. The program consists of technology education and physical science courses.

Hal Coyle, Senior Writer
Science Education Department
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
60 Garden Street, MS-71
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-9798
Fax: (617) 496-5404
e-mail: hcoyle@cfa.harvard.edu

Project IMAGE: Investigative Materials About Global Environments

IMAGE focuses on grades 7-12, with an emphasis on grades 7-9. The project developed and field-tested 17 hands-on, investigative activities using satellite and high altitude imagery to confront students with the problems and challenges of our global environment.

Project SPICA: Support Program for Instructional Competency in Astronomy

Project SPICA provides astronomy education support to precollege teachers, particularly in grades K-9. The project has prepared some 180 expert teachers in 41 states to provide workshops to other teachers who want to enhance their use of astronomy in their classrooms. The SPICA agents may be contacted through the project office.

Judith Peritz
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
60 Garden Street, MS71
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 496-4785
Fax: (617) 496-5405
home page: http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa/sed

Science and Technology for Children

This project produces a complete program of science instruction for children in grades 1-6. The project is composed of 24 units that involve children in hands-on investigations of scientific phenomena and enables them to learn by doing. This is a curriculum project of the National Science Resources Center.

Douglas Lapp
Executive Director
National Science Resources Center
MRC 403
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC 20560
(202) 357-2555
Fax: (202) 786-2028
e-mail: dlapp@nss.edu
-###-

[National Science Foundation (NSF)]

[A Guide to Federal Technology Resources on the Internet]