Project EXCITE engages students in valuable learning experiences across disciplinary areas using locally relevant Environmental Health Science (EHS) topics. The project reflects current thinking about effective teaching and learning and is aligned with national and state education goals. Project EXCITE emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving skills, interdisciplinary connections, collaborative learning and the use of technology. Students investigate local EHS issues, explain fundamental conceptual understandings of these concepts, and apply the knowledge and skills generated to improve performance on standardized achievement tests.
Project EXCITE assists teacher teams (4th - 10th grade) in creating, facilitating, and disseminating interdisciplinary EHS units using problem-based learning (PBL) approaches. During each of the project's two-year Cohort cycles, 3-6 teacher teams participate in over 180 hours of Professional Development. Each team consists of 4-5 educators drawn from different academic disciplines who work side-by-side with university faculty members, scientists, and community partners. By 2007, 3900 middle grade students and 63 teachers have been directly impacted by the 2-year Cohort Program.
A new dissemination format introduced in 2006 allows Project EXCITE to reach an additional 120 teachers throughout the state of Ohio. By offering a two-day institute (15 hours, plus on-line discussions), EXCITE is able to spread its professional development model and curriculum to an additional 5000 school children. In total, EXCITE will influence approximately 11,000 school children and over 200 teachers (for a combined total of 12,000 hours of professional development).
Goals:
Project EXCITE aims to:
Advance the awareness of local environmental health science (EHS) issues and generate social responsibility in students
Augment the range of inquiry-based teaching techniques and strategies for integrating both science and non-science concepts
Enhance both EHS content knowledge and inquiry skills needed for success on standardized tests
Teachers Impact
Since its inception, Project EXCITE has offered over 12,000 hours of professional development to middle grade teachers via either a two-year cohort model or a two-day workshop model. Both qualitative and quantitative instruments were used to capture our successes with teachers; these instruments included: Survey of Best Practices; EHS System Model; Content Area Integration Web; Social Responsibility Essay; state and national standards correlation matrix; curriculum unit developed (Odyssey); interviews; and classroom observations (2 per team). The greatest teacher impacts (as measured by both qualitative interviews/observations and quantitative surveys) center on teachers’ beliefs in their ability to teach Environmental Health as an Integrative Context using a Problem-based Learning approach (PBL).
According to our combined Surveys of Best Practice: Teacher efficacy beliefs were significantly enhanced (P<. 02) as were the self-efficacy sub-factor beliefs (p<. 003). The shape of the efficacy data is linear, showing that teacher's continued to become more confident in their ability to be effective EHSIC teachers throughout the project. The beliefs about the classroom learning environment were also significantly enhanced (p<.05), as were the personal relevance sub-construct beliefs (p<.04). The shape of this data is concave, indicating that the teachers held more positive beliefs at the beginning and end of the project than during the middle, suggesting that beliefs about the learning environment are moderated by difficulties in implementing complex change. The reported use of instructional strategies also changed significantly throughout the course of the project (p<.04) relating to the reported use of reform-based teaching strategies (p<.02). Represented by a linear increase, teachers more frequently used reform-based best practices throughout the course of their participation. Classroom observations provided evidence to the reported use of these best practices.
Other teacher successes, as reported by the external evaluator are as follows:
Teachers can appropriately correlate EHS topics/skills to state and national standards
Teachers possess solid EHS content knowledge
Teachers are able to plan strong lessons/units that integrate PBL and EHS approaches
Teachers use some reformed based instructional strategies
Use correlated with self efficacy beliefs and highest degree earned
Teachers possess positive attitudes about the use of PBL strategies and about using EHS as an integrative context; yet beliefs about support structures and control beliefs seem to act as barriers.
Through participation in EXCITE, teams of teachers, along with EXCITE staff and scientists, developed (to date) seven in-depth, interdisciplinary, standards-rich curricula focusing on EHS topics.
Student Impact
Analysis of interview data related to student motivation and enthusiasm for learning indicated that the integrated EXCITE unit, in comparison to other units studied during the year, lasted longer, was more engaging, allowed students to work in collaborative groups more often, required more student effort, was more interesting and offered a greater diversity of instructional strategies, student tasks and assessment opportunities. Moreover, students reported that the integrated unit was more likely to enhance the amount of material learned and how long this material would be remembered.
Initial analysis of the EHS System (an assessment of student environmental health science conceptual knowledge) showed that students possessed conceptual understanding of both the science and social science concepts and processes as related to the environmental health problem under study. The degree of their understanding varied amongst individuals and across schools. The factors that may impact this variability are currently under investigation.
An in-depth analysis and comparison group study of the Performance of Process Skills (POPS) pre- and posttest was completed. The POPS test is a noncurriculum-specific measure of integrated science process skills, including identifying experimental questions, identifying variables, formulating hypotheses, designing investigations, graphing data, and interpreting data. Findings demonstrated that Project EXCITE participant students demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the average scores between their pre- and posttests. The same test was also administered in six non-EXCITE classrooms in two different middle schools (three valid tests were collected for over 100 non-EXCITE students).
Additional student successes, as reported by the external evaluator include:
Students enjoyed their EHS based classes and were motivated to learn.
Students were pleased about the opportunity to work in groups and to be engaged in experimental work.
Students’ inquiry skills were enhanced.
Students valued being able to consider real-life issues in their classes.
Students valued being able to expose their work to significant others, particularly at COSI (the local science and technology museum).
GermOdyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The GermOdyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. GermOdyssey focuses on germ and disease transmission. Keywords: Communicable disease, hand washing, hygiene, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Air pollution
Sick of School? Odyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The Sick of School? Odyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. Sick of School? challenges students to investigate the indoor environmental quality of their school. Keywords: Indoor Environmental Quality, Air pollution, mold, bacteria, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Agriculture
AgOdyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The AgOdyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. AgOdyssey focuses on the impacts of family vs. large scale farming. Keywords: Agriculture, family farm, CAFO, factory farm, farming, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Food born bacteria
Food Odyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The Food Odyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. Food Odyssey focuses on food bourne illnesses. Keywords: Food born bacteria, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Hazardous Chemicals
ChemOdyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The Chem Odyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. Chem Odyssey focuses on household hazardous chemicals. Keywords: Hazardous Household Chemicals, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Mosquito
MosquitOdyssey (In Final Development Stages)(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The MosquitOdyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. In MosquitOdyssey, students learn how and why our communities spray chemicals to control mosquito infestations. Given the disease spreading potential, students way the pros and cons of controlling mosquitos this way. Keywords: Larvacide, pesticide, communicable disease, mosquito, vector, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Communicable disease
ZoOdyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/zo/) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. This on-line activity is based upon the ZoOdyssey unit. The on-line ZoOdyssey asks students to find the cause of the mystery illness after a zoo field trip. There is a Student Page and a Teacher Page with resources to enhance the activity. Keywords: Communicable disease, hand washing, hygiene , food born disease, animals, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
GermOdyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The GermOdyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. GermOdyssey focuses on germ and disease transmission. Keywords: Communicable disease, hand washing, hygiene, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Air pollution
Sick of School? Odyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The Sick of School? Odyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. Sick of School? challenges students to investigate the indoor environmental quality of their school. Keywords: Indoor Environmental Quality, Air pollution, mold, bacteria, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Agriculture
AgOdyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The AgOdyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. AgOdyssey focuses on the impacts of family vs. large scale farming. Keywords: Agriculture, family farm, CAFO, factory farm, farming, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Food born bacteria
Food Odyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The Food Odyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. Food Odyssey focuses on food bourne illnesses. Keywords: Food born bacteria, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Hazardous Chemicals
ChemOdyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The Chem Odyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. Chem Odyssey focuses on household hazardous chemicals. Keywords: Hazardous Household Chemicals, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Mosquito
MosquitOdyssey (In Final Development Stages)(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/resources/information.html) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. The MosquitOdyssey unit includes easy-to-use implementation guides and lesson plans, field tested inquiry activities, PBL resources, duplication masters, assessments with rubrics and interactive CD-Rom materials. In MosquitOdyssey, students learn how and why our communities spray chemicals to control mosquito infestations. Given the disease spreading potential, students way the pros and cons of controlling mosquitos this way. Keywords: Larvacide, pesticide, communicable disease, mosquito, vector, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
EXCITE
4-10
Communicable disease
ZoOdyssey(http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/programs/excite/zo/) Project EXCITE Odysseys are interdisciplinary problem-based curricula focusing on real world environmental health issues. This on-line activity is based upon the ZoOdyssey unit. The on-line ZoOdyssey asks students to find the cause of the mystery illness after a zoo field trip. There is a Student Page and a Teacher Page with resources to enhance the activity. Keywords: Communicable disease, hand washing, hygiene , food born disease, animals, inquiry, problem-based learning Subjects: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Civics, Technology
Project EXCITE engages students in valuable learning experiences across disciplinary areas using locally relevant Environmental Health Science (EHS) topics. The project reflects current thinking about effective teaching and learning and is aligned with national and state education goals. Project EXCITE emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving skills, interdisciplinary connections, collaborative learning and the use of technology. Students investigate local EHS issues, explain fundamental conceptual understandings of these concepts, and apply the knowledge and skills generated to improve performance on standardized achievement tests.
|