This project will develop a year-long, event-based science (EBS) curriculum for heterogeneously grouped, middle school students for use primarily in departmentalized earth science classes. Nationally disseminated products will include textbook, teacher resource notebook, and video tape and/or videodisc support. Five features will set EBS apart from other approaches to science instruction and curriculum writing. 1) The event focus will make each unit topical and relevant to early adolescents. It will allow science to become less compartmentalized. It allows for a natural highlighting of nontraditional roles filled by women and minorities. 2) The interdisciplinary nature of this even focus will be enhanced by the collaboration between project writers and teacher/advisory and consultant panels. Three teacher/advisory panels of Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) earth science teachers will contribute content and activity ideas. 3) A team of eighth grade students will tests materials as they are developed. Particular attention will be paid to interest reactions of the students. High interest activities will become models for other activities. 4) EBS will stress alternative assessment techniques and grading strategies which reward success and downplay failure. 5) EBS will utilize the news media as one source. 6) EBS will be a national project developed as a collaborative effort of MCPS, the US Government, and professional and news agencies. Montgomery County is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the help available from these agencies.
