In-Touch Science

July 1st, 1997 - June 30th, 2003 | PROJECT

In-Touch Science provides informal learning experiences to help children ages 8 to 11 understand the science in their everyday lives. Each science theme is introduced through a hands-on activity in one subject area and is reinforced through a second experience based in a different field of science. By linking concepts common to the paired fields, the program teaches children to make connections between what they've learned in one context and what they observe in another arena. The program targets children enrolled in special needs programs, 4-H clubs, school-age child care facilities, and home schooling. The program engages, supports and sustains community science facilitators, the majority of whom are not experienced educators. They will be trained to work with the children, using the Learning Cycle, a guided discovery strategy. Cornell developed the curricula for three paired disciplines: 1) Engineering and Plant Science, 2) Animal Science and Fiber Science, and 3) Chemistry and Environmental Science. Instructional materials for the project consist of three curricula, a facilitator-training guide, and supply kits.

Project Website(s)

(no project website provided)

Team Members

Charlotte Coffman, Principal Investigator, Cornell University
Dan Brown, Co-Principal Investigator, Cornell University
Daniel Tennessen, Co-Principal Investigator, Cornell University

Funders

Funding Source: NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 9705400
Funding Amount: 803814

Tags

Audience: Elementary School Children (6-10) | Middle School Children (11-13) | Museum | ISE Professionals
Discipline: Chemistry | Ecology | forestry | agriculture | Engineering | Life science
Resource Type: Project Descriptions
Environment Type: Community Outreach Programs | Public Programs