| Popis: |
Motorola Inc., research climatologists, preservice teachers taking a science requirement, and students in a Title I middle school explored whether a new major urban lake increases local humidity and decreases quality of life in a community dependent on “dry heat” during summers. Analysis of automated climate data reveals that the urban lake is too small to increase humidity, a conclusion roughly consistent with student-gathered data—keeping in mind the difficulty of students in making reliable scientific measurements. Qualitative survey questions and interviews about the process revealed that elementary education majors learned they could generate excitement for authentic science and mathematics within themselves and within students through research experiences. Furthermore, the interaction introduced low income, minority middle schoolers to the idea that attending college is an option in their future. Thus, synergistic involvement of education majors and children in scientific research to generate excitement in science and mathematics is strongly encouraged. |
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