9553845 Irwin I. Shapiro The principal investigator proposes to complete the development of an astronomy-based physical science curriculum (Project ARIES) for elementary-school students in grades three to six. This three-year project, which begins 1 March 1996, is a follow-up to a previous NSF grant that is producing three modules on (1) Time, (2) Light and Color, and (3) Astronomy I. The new project will produce five additional modules on (1) Astronomy II, (2) Waves, (3) Navigation, (4) Forces and Motion, and (5) Energy and the Sun. Central features of the proposed materials are the use of innovative, simple, and affordable apparatus to carry out hands-on activities and basing science lessons on everyday experiences and observations shared by all students. The specific educational objectives are to: encourage students to learn and master a limited number of powerful scientific concepts; communicate to students the excitement and challenge of science; establish an environment where students are driven by their own curiosity; empower students with the reasoning skills which can help them take an organized and logical approach to acquiring new information.
