A 21ST CENTURY DISCOVERY-BASED SCIENCE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

A science initiative funded by DuPont will benefit approximately 1000 students in the Pompton Lakes School District. The middle school curriculum consists of 6th grade Life Science, 7th grade Earth Science, and 8th grade Physical Science. The 8th grade students at Lakeside School have been using the CPO Middle School Physical Science Laboratory Modules for several years to “discover” kinematic principles. With the addition of the CPO Middle School Earth Science Laboratory Modules, the 7th grade students have simulated many geologic processes such as mountain building and erosion.

Included in this initiative is the introduction of the PASCO Spark Learning System technology. PASCO technology provides learners opportunities for meaningful and engaging visualization, data collection, and analysis; it also renders a high level of student interactivity through inquiry-based and hands-on learning.

During the 2012-2013 school year, the integration of the PASCO Spark Learning System with accompanying probeware and equipment will benefit all students in all science courses and levels from freshman year Integrated Science to senior year Advanced Placement Physics. Pompton Lakes High School science students will be able to collect real-time data that is accurate and precise. Thanks to the generosity of the DuPont Corporation, the students of Pompton Lakes High School will enjoy increased academic performance which will prepare them for college and 21st century careers.

Courtesy of Pompton Lake P.R.I.D.E., Let It Flow!, Vol. 4, No. 1, Feb. 2013.