Student-Teacher-Scientist partnerships are unique collaborations between
research scientists, teachers, and students. The partnership has the potential
to be a win-win situation providing all 3 parties with valuable outcomes.
Teachers
For teachers the partnership represents an authentic means of
engaging students in the scientific process and inquiry-based learning. Students
usually contribute to the STSP by collecting and reporting data essential to the
research being conducted. Motivation to learn science is often enhanced when
data collection is local and is used to further an actual scientific study. Such
activities are also consistent with National and state science standards.
Students
Data collection is an essential component of STSP's, but not the
only highlight. Students are often involved in shared communications with the
research team and other participating schools. Teachers and their students may
even conduct further investigations related to and inspired by the initial STSP.
Additional information and instructional activities are also provided by most
STSP's and participation in an actual scientific investigation provides hands-on
exposure to career opportunities in research.
Scientists
For scientists, the gain is in the volume of observations and measurements
obtained. Such a collection has the potential to provide scientists with
valuable data that would otherwise be logistically challenging, if not
impossible to collect. Student collected data can contribute significantly to a
scientists' database, furthering the study being conducted.
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Copyright 2002. Bernd Blossey. Cornell University
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