title: Air Toxics Under the Big Sky: Examining the Effectiveness of Authentic Scientific Research on High School Students' Science Skills and Interest.
abstract: Air Toxics Under the Big Skyis an environmental science outreach/education program that incorporates the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) 8 Practices with the goal of promoting knowledge and understanding of authentic scientific research in high school classrooms through air quality research. A quasi-experimental design was used in order to understand: 1)how the program affects student understanding of scientific inquiry and researchand 2)how the open inquiry learning opportunities provided by the program increase student interest in science as a career path. Treatment students received instruction related to air pollution (airborne particulate matter), associated health concerns, and training on how to operate air quality testing equipment. They then participated in a yearlong scientific research project in which they developed and tested hypotheses through research of their own design regarding the sources and concentrations of air pollution in their homes and communities. Results from an external evaluation revealed that treatment students developed a deeper understanding of scientific research than did comparison students, as measured by their ability to generate good hypotheses and research designs, and equally expressed an increased interest in pursuing a career in science. These results emphasize the value of and need for authentic science learning opportunities in the modern science classroom.
authors.affiliation: University of Montana, Skaggs Building 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, (406) 243-4092.
authors.forename: Tony J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: University of Montana, Skaggs Building 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812, (406) 243-2046.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Delaloye
authors.affiliation: University of Montana, Department of Chemistry, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812, (406) 243-4196.
authors.forename: Earle Raymond
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: University of Montana, Skaggs Building 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, (406) 243-4055.
authors.forename: Desirae
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.affiliation: University of Montana, 4030 Sourdough Rd., Bozeman, MT 59715, (406) 546-4254.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanek
authors.forename: Randy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knuth
authors.affiliation: University of Montana, Skaggs Building 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, (406) 243-4055.
authors.forename: Carolyn Laurie
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hester
authors.affiliation: Phi Delta Kappa, AAUW, 348 E. Iowa Dr. Boise, ID 83706, (406)240-3502.
authors.forename: Nancy Noel
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.affiliation: University of Montana, Skaggs Building 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, (406) 243-4018.
authors.forename: Andrij
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holian
keywords: Environmental Science; NGSS 8 Practices; Open Inquiry; authentic science research; secondary education