Students devote 60 to 80 percent of the time in each course to laboratory or field investigations. In the remaining time they analyze and interpret their data, review related literature, discuss their findings in small groups or as a class, and write and share their own reports. Teacher materials are part of the program. Follow-up services are provided during implementation. An overview of all three FAST courses, with goals and objectives, course content, strategies for managing space and time, and detailed descriptions of materials used by students and teachers.
Some items require assembly.
The Local Environment Laboratory and field investigations of the components of the environment and their interrelationships, engaging students in authentic activities of science and capitalizing on the excitement of discovery. The physical science strand introduces the properties of matter, changes in the state of matter and relationships between temperature and heat. The ecology strand fosters awareness of interaction and interdependence in the environment. The relational study strand applies physical and ecological principles to the study of environmental issues. The logic underlying the sequence of investigations in The Local Environment, with teaching suggestions, advice on classroom procedures, recommended schedules, a packet of visual aid masters, and lists of needed equipment and supplies.