Sr. Herwitz et M. Guerra, PERSPECTIVES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND VALUES IN SCIENCE-EDUCATION - A UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL COLLABORATION, Science education, 80(1), 1996, pp. 21-34
Science is often viewed by elementary school teachers as a fixed body
of information. Using recently acquired planetary imagery from the Voy
ager spacecraft mission to the outer planets of our solar system, a un
iversity-elementary school collaboration implemented an inquiry approa
ch that promoted active student participation. Formulating research qu
estions in an exploratory context provided all participants with a sen
se of scientific community. This article documents the power of child-
constructed inquiry through discovery and dialogue, and highlights its
influence on the participating teachers, The results of the collabora
tion may serve as a model for city-based universities seeking to have
a constructive effect on science teaching and learning in neighboring
public schools. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.