Teachers learn and grow with students and renew visions, energy, and intellect as well as improve teaching strategies, and enrich student-teacher relationships. For example, teachers facilitate student questions and problem-solving, and address the larger questions rather than dealing with how many beakers and Bunsen burners are needed for the lab activity. Students see themselves as part of a larger global community. Students make scientific presentations using technology as the tool and exchange ideas with a larger community of learners via Internet. Community members who work in technology will mentor TIP students, Student Technology Teaching Assistants, and Lab Assistants on appropriate work skills that will foster advanced avenues for exploration and sharing.
Students communicate more effectively and share information with the scientific community.
Computers are tools for learning. Students and teachers use computers to build models, make discoveries, create simulations, and ask big questions. They communicate ideas, and share information via the Internet. This new curriculum approach will be replicated by the Issaquah School District and other schools. Specifically, a middle level science technology curriculum approach will be developed that will directly apply the National Science Foundation objectives within an integrated science technology experiential lab setting.