It also involves the science of inquiry including asking questions, planning and conducting an investigation, using appropriate tools and techniques, observing and analyzing, thinking critically and logically about the relationships between evidence and explanations, making predictions and communicating scientific arguments. This learning atmosphere also involves a partnership with business, government, education, and the community. The approach of CSLP is to establish a partnership with a NASA mission in development. Students learn by becoming actively involved with the mission, learning directly from the scientist, engineers and other professionals. Although science, math and engineering are key areas covered, the CSLP also provides opportunities for students whose strong skills are in other non-technical areas.
Students understand when a project is real.
If they know their contributions will make a real difference, they work harder and develop stronger ownership of the project. Through contribution students do work which the partner will actually use. Students take what they learn and teach other students in their school, travel to middle and elementary schools, and go out to teach the community. When students are challenged to teach the next generation of students, they start to think about the subject in a different light. Teaching is an effective way to learn a subject.