9618142 Krasny This proposal is to develop a set of in-depth, interdisciplinary, grade 9-12 instructional modules that focus the application of the four process standards (from the National Science Education Standards) -- Science as Inquiry, History and Nature of Science, Science and Technology, and Science in Personal and Social Perspectives -- to the topic of environmental toxicology. This issue is important to students living in urban, suburban and rural communities and all students using the materials will be investigating problems relevant to their own lives. The modules include activities designed to engage students in three levels of inquiry, 1) open ended laboratory exercises that focus on building skills and understanding science concepts, 2) exploratory investigations that give students the opportunity to investigate variables related to their initial laboratory exercise, and 3) controlled experimental research that uses the results of explorations to define a controlled experiment with independent variables. Students learn to communicate their results among communities of scientists and to the wider lay community. The topic of environmental toxicology is a focus of Cornell research programs and the scientists from these programs will join with teachers and educators to develop the materials. The outcome includes teacher materials designed to assist teachers in making the transition to inquiry-based science and to other aspects of the science reform movement.
