Design Challenges for Middle School Science Students

December 27, 2011

Students and teachers in Grades 6-8 are piloting an approach to science instruction using a technology-rich interactive environment. Developed by Sadhana Puntambekar and colleagues, these science materials focus on work & energy and forces & motion. Students read texts and gather evidence, write procedures and explanations, use scientific and technical language, understand relationships between concepts, provide summaries, and use quantitative information in text. A hypertext system, CoMPASS-Physics, engages students in design challenges, simulations, and experiments using physical materials like ramps and pulleys. In small group and whole class discussions students collaborate throughout the modules.

More information is available here.