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| Life Lab Science Program. An applied science program emphasizing a hands-on, garden-based "living laboratory: approach to elementary science education in grades 2-6. |
Audience Approved by JDRP for elementary students, grades 2-6.
Description The Life Lab Science Program strives to ensure students' future interests and success in science by improving student attitudes toward the study of science, and increasing students' level of knowledge and skill acquisition in science. The instructional approach is a combination of indoor and outdoor hands-on science activities with the key component being the garden lab (e.g., indoor grow box, greenhouse, planter boxes, vegetable beds, etc.). Students and teachers collaborate to transform their school grounds and/or classrooms into thriving garden laboratories for the application of scientific processes. In this setting students conduct experiments using the scientific method. They observe, collect and analyze data, establish worm colonies, raise vegetables, herbs and flowers, and have responsibility for maintaining their living laboratory. A structured course of study is followed in science, nutrition and gardening. Instructional time varies from two to four hours per week. Teachers are responsible for all classroom instruction and use The Growing Classroom curriculum guide for the bulk of their science lessons.
Life Lab Program is also developing a telecommunications system--E-WORLD--available to Life Lab teachers to support the networking of information regarding experiments such as plant growth or composting as well as teacher and student exchange of ideas, collaborative reports, and problem solving.
Evidence of Effectiveness Elementary students demonstrated significant gains in science achievement as evidenced by the California Test of Basic Skills Science Subtest, and the SAT and MAT in Science achievement. The Life Lab Program also fostered positive attitudes towards the study of science at all elementary grade levels, based on student surveys.
Requirements The critical learner setting is the "living laboratory" whether an indoor grow box, containers adjacent to the classroom, a greenhouse or a three-acre school farm. As such, all elements of the program are transportable. The primary curriculum guide is The Growing Classroom, which contains Science, Nutrition, and Gardening units and is accompanied by a scope and sequence. Prior to implementation, the project has a two-day workshop at the school site or project site that prepares teachers for using the project, teaching techniques, and the "living laboratory" approach. Following the initial training, staff development and project implementation become the responsibility of Lead Teachers in each school. Advance training is available and technical assistance will continue to be provided throughout the installation year. Adopters of the Life Lab Science Program typically generate a great deal of community support and resources. Cultivating the community is an important requirement of a successful adoption.
Costs The adopter is responsible for travel and per diem costs. Trainer fees are to be negotiated. Implementation costs vary by site and the extent of "living laboratory" development. The Growing Classroom curriculum must be purchased for each implementing classroom teacher.
Services Awareness materials are available at no cost. Visitors are welcome by appointment to visit project sites in their home state or out-of-state. Project staff are available to attend out-of-state awareness meetings (costs to be negotiated). Training is conducted either at the project site or the adopter site (costs to be negotiated). Follow-up technical assistance is also available.
Developmental Funding: ESEA, Title IV-C, Packard Foundation, California State Department of Education, and National Science Foundation.
JDRP No. 86-17 (9/10/86)
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[MECHANICAL UNIVERSE, THE: High School Adaptation]