title: The Big Sky Model: A Regional Collaboration for Participatory Research on Environmental Health in the Rural West.
abstract: The case for inquiry-based, hands-on, meaningful science education continues to gain credence as an effective and appropriate pedagogical approach (Karukstis 2005; NSF 2000). An innovative community-based framework for science learning, hereinafter referred to as the Big Sky Model, successfully addresses these educational aims, guiding high school and tribal college students from rural areas of Montana and Idaho in their understanding of chemical, physical, and environmental health concepts. Students participate in classroom lessons and continue with systematic inquiry through actual field research to investigate a pressing, real-world issue: understanding the complex links between poor air quality and respiratory health outcomes. This article provides background information, outlines the procedure for implementing the model, and discusses its effectiveness as demonstrated through various evaluation tools.
authors.affiliation: The University of Montana, Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA.
authors.forename: Tony J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanek
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.forename: Andrij
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holian
authors.forename: Earle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Randy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knuth