Principal Investigators
Eric Strauss, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Urban Ecology Institute, Boston College
Michael Barnett, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator, Lynch School of Education, Boston College
Tracey Hall, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator, CAST
Katherine McNeill, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator, Lynch School of Education, Boston College
Funder
National Science Foundation, Instructional and Materials Development (IMD) Program (Award number: 0628143 )
Timeframe
2006-2009
Project Description
The Lynch School of Education and the Urban Ecology Institute at Boston College, in collaboration with CAST, the University of Arizona, the University of Connecticut, and Northern Illinois University, are developing a complete set of standards-based, urban ecology course materials and accompanying field-study activities for an Urban Ecology course for 11-12th grade students using an educative materials framework pioneered by the Center for Curriculum Materials in Science (CCMS).
The curriculum materials will engage youth in science by providing them with a locally-relevant, field-based course delivered in a universally designed web-based learning environment. The CAST team is creating the web-based environment, integrating the principles of Universal Design for Learning, so that the curriculum will support all learners. UDL features include: multimedia materials such as video, text narration and science simulations, highlighted critical features, scaffolded student responses, multiple forms of response, and options for fostering collaboration and communication.
