Internet-Based K-12 Collaborative Projects
Spring 2000
Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE)
Stevens Institute of Technology

The CIESE team is currently disseminating information about its Spring 2000 Internet-based collaborative projects. These projects are funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education through a Technology Innovation Challenge Grant called Alliance Plus. Our educational collaborative projects afford K-12 students from around the country and the world an opportunity to work together to solve problems and conduct real world scientific investigations. Information concerning national and local standards, a complete teacher guide, and online help is available on each project web site (see below). There is NO fee for participating.

 
The Global Water Sampling Project
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/waterproj
Dates: March 6, 2000 - May 26, 2000
(project requires only a few days of actual class work)
Subjects: Environmental Science, Biology and Chemistry
Suggested Age Level: Ages 12 – 18 (Any age may participate)
Description: This collaborative project allows students to compare the water quality of their local river, stream, lake or pond with other fresh water sources around the world. Students submit data (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, organism identification, etc.) to the project web site and the results are posted in a database for all participants to examine. During the project, students can discuss their questions, findings, and theories with other participants. Students’ final reports are posted on the web site.
The Global Sun/Temperature Project
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/tempproj
Dates: April 3, 2000 - May 26, 2000
(project requires only a few days of actual class work)
Subjects: General Science, Mathematics, and Language Arts
Suggested Age Level: Ages 9-12 (Any age may participate)
Description: This collaborative project allows students to gather local temperature and sunlight data during a specific week each semester. This information, accompanying specific latitude and longitude coordinates of the location, is submitted to the web site. The data from all participants is compiled into a database from which the students may explore relationships between average temperature and amount of sunlight and proximity to the equator. Students’ final reports are posted on the project web site.

International Boiling Point Project
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/boilproj

Dates: March 6, 2000 - May 26, 2000
(project requires only a few days of actual class work)
Subjects: Physical Science, General Science and Mathematics
Suggested Grade Level: Middle School (Any age may participate)
Description: This collaborative project allows students to discover which factor in a boiling point experiment (room temperature, elevation, volume of water, or heating device) has the greatest influence on boiling point. All participants perform the same experiment and submit their results to the project web site. The compiled database will be posted to all participants allowing students to conduct their own analysis and to draw their own conclusions. Students’ final reports are posted on the project web site.

Human Genetics – A Worldwide Search for the Dominant Trait
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/genproj

Dates: March 6, 2000 - May 26, 2000
(project requires only a few days of actual class work)
Subjects: Life Science, Biology, General Science and Mathematics
Suggested Grade Level: Middle School (Any age may participate)
Description: This collaborative project allows students to carry out a survey that involves determining which genetic traits they, their classmates, and community exhibit. The students complete surveys, formulate hypotheses, and use the data compiled by students around the globe to test their hypotheses. During the project, the students can discuss their questions, findings, and theories with other participants. Students’ final reports are posted on the project web site.

Square of Life: Studies in Local and Global Environments
http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/squareproj

Dates: March 6, 2000 - May 26, 2000
(project requires only a few days of actual class work)
Subjects: Science, math, language arts, reading, geography and social studies
Suggested Age Level: Age 5 to 12 (Any age may participate)
Description: This Internet-based collaborative project will allow your students to share information about the plants, animals and non-living objects found in their schoolyard environment with other students from around the country and the world. The project has been specially designed to meet the needs of young children and includes detailed lesson plans and support materials. To view the project requirements and learn how to register for the project visit the web site and click on the START HERE button.

You may learn more about CIESE at http://www.k12science.org and more about the Alliance Plus project at http://www.k12science.org/alliance.