Projects of the Rice Model Science Lab


Front Page	About Us	Our Donors	Our Impact	Projects	Teachers	Science Links

Projects of the
Model Science Lab Project
Some Highlights 1991-1996

Special Opportunities for Students:

Satellite video conferences with students in Hampshire, England

Problem solving and creative challenges, as in Snow Cats and Marsville Projects

Hands-on innovative curricula, as in Fast Plants, FACETS, Voyage of the MIMI, SEPUP, Science Sleuths,
Brain Links, AIMS, GEMS, and FOSS

Resource tools such as computer challenges, CD ROM resources, E-mail with other countries, laser disc
scientific mysteries, video microscope, video camera, and the internet

Science communication through National Geographic, GLOBE, E-mail across the World, and the
International Arctic Project

Shuttle missions involving Fast Plants grown by Model Science Laboratory and Hartman Middle School
students in November, 1993 and February, 1994. Eight students observed a shuttle lift-off.

Students demonstrated the Earth Forum program at Photofest Convention, 1995

TEED and NEED Energy Workshops

Field trips to Challenger Center, Zoo, Arboretum, Marsville link-up at Rice University,
Space Center Houston, University of Houston, Galveston Bay, Lyondell Chemical Company,
Project Wild, Plastic Fabricators, Houston Police Department Crime Lab, Mercer Arboretum,
Exxon Baytown Polymers Center, Living Resource Center, Armand Bayou Nature Center, Equipment
Headquarters Machine Shop, and Museum of Natural Science

Camping trips to Brazos Bend State Par, El Paso, New Mexico, and other sites

Highlights of Achievements for Model Science Laboratory Teachers:

Articles in Science Scope and The Science Teacher

Publication of Teaching Science Process Skills ; and Earth Focus, a student environmental journal which won the HEB Environmental Challenge Award

Earth Science textbook authored by former resident chosen for state adoption

Former resident's essay Girls (Only) in Science? published in an anthology of science writing

Presentations at national, regional, and state NSTA and NMSA conferences

International presentations in Scotland

Participation on state science education committees

Workshop series for 450 HISD 5th-8th grade girls

Several former residents have been the recipients of grants

Eleanor Roosevelt Fellow award to a former resident

Creation of a Girls' Science Club

A pilot project at Parker Elementary School headed by a former resident

A former resident is heading the RITE (Rodeo Institute of Teacher Excellence) Program, a reading project funded by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Vertical Team Training at Attucks Middle School lead by former resident teachers

Former resident teacher spends summer in Russia helping write science curriculum

Special Visitors to the Rice Model Science Laboratory:

International

Education ministers from the National Republic of China, Argentina, Panama, Bolivia, and Japan

Educators from Hampshire, England

National

Dr. Diane Ravitch, Assistant Secretary of Education

Conference call with Dr. Lamar Alexander, Secretary of Education

Representative from Challenger Center, Alexandria, VA

Educators from: Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Detroit, El Paso, Fresno, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven, New York City, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Diego, St. Paul, Stoney Brook, Washington D.C., and Winetka

State

Texas Board of Education

Dr. Lionel "Skip" Meno, Commissioner of Education

Mr. Jim Collins, Texas Education Agency Science Director State Systemic Initiative

Representatives of the Texas Education Association Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Science Teaching

Representatives of Project 2061, San Antonio

Local

Coalition for Essential Schools

Many visitors and speakers representing donors, the community, and universities (Rice University, University of Houston, Texas Southern University, University of St. Thomas, Prairie View A&M; University, and University of Houston Clear Lake)

Model Science Laboratory Honors:

National Science Foundation award of three year grant

Filming by BBC, PBS, Channel 51, and Channel 8 KUHT-TV (Houston)

Governor's Exemplary Partnership Award, Texas Alliance For Science, Technology, and Mathematics Education 1992, 1994


Front Page	About Us	Our Donors	Our Impact	Projects	Teachers	Science Links

Model Science Laboratory Project
of the Center for Education
Dr. Elnora Harcombe, Project Director
nonie@ruf.rice.edu

1997 Rice Model Lab, Houston, Texas
Page designed and maintained by
Martha Phelps-Borrowman
mborrow@cs.rice.edu