Students eagerly manipulate experiments and test hypotheses. No longer are questions coming from teachers, but rather, the students themselves identify the questions to be addressed and the methods by which to do so. Principals and teachers report that the amount of classroom time spent on science has increased exponentially, as have the energy and enthusiasm in the classroom. Parents report that they have become students of their own children as they, in turn, are instructed by these young scientists. In terms of assessment of specific Dow objectives, programs were seen as having made exciting inroads into program implementation and teacher training.
Materials reach the classroom in a complete and timely manner.
Teachers integrate science topics, concepts and vocabulary words with other subject areas such as reading, vocabulary, and spelling. Colorful student science artwork dominates classroom and hallway bulletin boards. Perhaps the greatest contribution of hands-on science is its ability to encourage students to systematically identify and solve problems. This is good science. When we have a problem at Dow, it is usually because we have forgotten to follow the Scientific Method.