This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project has as its purpose the development of interactive multimedia software for teaching science to K-12 students. The software will enable students to search for evidence, sharpen their analytical skills, consult with national experts, and invoke strengths in writing and creative expression to stimulate their interest in science. In particular, the software will provide students with a toolkit for (1) searching video recordings of scientific and natural phenomena for usable data, (2) extracting, organizing, and analyzing the data, and (3) preparing written, audio, and video presentations on the computer. Students will also be able to add their own video events for analysis and be able to compare their results with the comments and findings of scientific experts. In the creation of the software, special attention will be paid to female and minority students.
