|
Standardized Testing Results
The results of state standardized tests are beginning to show that
student learning increases after the use of an inquiry-based science
curriculum such as STC™.
Delaware school districts have based their elementary science
instructional program almost entirely on STC™ units. In 2003, more than
88% of students in grade 4 met or exceeded the state’s performance
standards for science. The same year, nearly 75% of grade 6 students
achieved that level (up from 61% in 2000). No other discipline had
student scores this high.
What is Inquiry-Based Curriculum?
The success of students who participate in hands-on science activities
suggests that if students have first-hand experiences with science, concepts
are easier to understand and apply. For example, if a student can actually
watch germination occur, watch the parts of the flower develop, and
participate in the pollination of that flower, then that student can define the
relative terms meaningfully in the context of those experiences and apply the
concept to other relevant topics.
Educational Studies Demonstrating the
Effectiveness of The STC Program™
Washington State LASER West Valley Survey (Yakima, WA): Impact of
planned implementation of inquiry science curriculum
Other educational
studies are providing similar evidence about student
learning in science. Remarkably, the studies also
indicate this benefit extends to subjects like
reading, writing, language development, and math.
To read more about these studies, click on the
following links:
| 
