This proposal, sponsored by the Lawrence Hall of Science, will develop and field test a module called the Student Radon Research curriculum module. The module will be an issues-oriented, investigation-centered earth science program specifically intended for grades 7-9. The module will consist of a series of activities related to the behavior of radon in the earth system. The modules use the techniques and instrumentation of professional scientists. The modules will allow students to gather radon and meteorological data derived from their own observations, use computers to store and analyze the data, prepare tables and graphs of the data and, based upon an analysis of the data, develop hypotheses. The module will also include a series of hands-on classroom activities which will introduce students to important science and mathematics concepts appropriate to the middle grades. The instructional materials will be such that they will easily supplement the regular earth science curriculum. Cost sharing funds amount to about 6% of the NSF award.
