The proposed one-year DEI project will create standard-based science materials that parents of students with disabilities can use to reinforce science instruction covered in grades K-5. The Science Learning Ideas Pages will emphasize activities that parents can do with their children at home (and in the community) and will be distributed by teachers to parents. It has been demonstrated that parent involvement in their child's education is one of the prime reasons for success. Seventy-six sheets will be produced that describe supplemental activities. The materials will be standards-based, and therefore will be appealing for many teachers to use. These sheets will be available free over the Internet, and will be distributed to state Science and Special Education Coordinators and to national parent organizations. Similar supplemental materials have been developed by this group in the past, but focusing on literacy and recreation. The project is well thought out, and it involves a strong team with a good blend of STEM and disability experience. One weakness was that there was little reference to the strategies the investigators would use to make the activities accessible for students with disabilities. The evaluation plan is strong, with both parent and teacher perspectives. The reviewers unanimously felt that the Science Learning Ideas Pages could be just as useful for students without disabilities as with disabilities. Therefore, we would suggest that the investigators take a universal design approach to develop an inclusive document that could help parents of students regardless of whether their children have a disability.
