“Beyond the Laboratory Walls” - HP Grant Overview

This project will provide the undergraduate students and faculty in Chatham’s College for Women with technology-rich, project-based learning experiences in science courses to increase student engagement.  Students who are given increased opportunities to be hands-on and work directly with technology develop a greater confidence for innovation and scientific exploration. This project aims to encourage and increase women’s interest in continuing their studies in the sciences and moving on to related professions. Using the mobile computing technology for field studies, web quests, and accessing cutting-edge scientific research will expand the learning environment beyond the confines of the classroom.  Classroom technology can move beyond PowerPoint presentations and streaming video to live conferencing with working scientists and access to scientific databases. Learning will become more project-oriented with students assuming a more active role. The faculty will become co-investigators and can collaborate with small groups of students working on similar projects. 

We have begun to integrate interactive and mobile computing technology in many of the science courses. With the additional resources received through this grant, we are able to more fully utilize mobile computing, the onscreen “inking” capability, and technology-based field work. With additional Tablet PCs and sensory attachments, the technology can be taken to the field for on-site data gathering and analysis.  For all courses, the philosophy is that learning by doing is much more effective than learning by watching. With additional resources, students can work in small groups and use the technology first-hand rather than watching a demonstration. Hands-on, problem-based inquiry and experimentation will be emphasized throughout.  For more details about the course redesigns, click on the following courses: Aquatic Biology, Global Environmental Challenges, Physics, Exploring Our Physical Universe, Intro to GIS.  Equipment received through this grant was also utilized in Anatomy Lab,  Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry Lab, Genetics, and Student Tutorials.

This project will also enhance our pre-college Young Women in Science Summer Program by introducing young women to the integration and implementation of technology in science.  This phase of the project will be implemented in the summer of 2010.

Contacts:

PI:  Dr. Christy Heid, Associate Professor of Education and Science, Course: Physics

Co-PI:   Dr. Barbara Biglan, Assistant Professor of Education, Course: Exploring Our Physical Universe

Co-PI:  Mr. David Goldberg, Assistant Professor, Landscape Architecture, Course: Introduction to GIS

Co-PI:  Dr. Mary Kostalos, Professor of Biology, Course: Aquatic Biology

Co-PI:  Ms. Mary Whitney, Program Specialist - Rachel Carson Institute, Course: Global Environmental Challenges