We propose to continue to develop and explore the enhancement of student learning of science through an emphasis on student research. Key to the success of this approach are technologies including: student field stations using low-cost MBL field monitors, probes, and instruments; experimental growth chambers; and software tools. Building on materials and technology developed so far in the project, we plan a careful evaluation and continued development of our approach in a two-year field test starting September, 1992. The data this yields about the role of the technologies and strategies employed will answer important questions about the power and feasibility of our approach. The major components of our instructional strategy are to: 1) focus on global ecology; 2) establish school research stations with increasing technological capacity; 3) offer students and teachers a suite of observations and experiments in global ecology that can be easily implemented; 4) foster the development of student research skills: and 5) create a community of student researchers knit together through telecomputing and other shared experiences. Our work in this phase of the Global Lab project will concentrate on supporting and evaluating the field test, developing technologies that fill gaps in our ability to offer experimental global ecology, developing supporting curricula material, and creating teacher support strategies.
