Page 170 - Cultural Studies of Science Education

10 Action-Based Science Instruction 147

(d) Organize student groups based on common issues and share essays. Have
each group plan a presentation to persuade the rest of the class that their
issue is the most important to solve.
(e) After all the groups present their essays, create a chart to outline the pros
and cons associated with each issue.
(f) Take a final vote and select one issue.
3. Become an expert. Students should conduct extensive research on the issue before
they can take action. To gain a better understanding of the selected issue explore
the root cause and examine possible solutions. Make a list of some possible
solutions and identify pros and cons associated with each idea. Be sure to use a
variety of resources to find out as much as you can about the issue selected.
4. Devise a plan of action. Let the students lead the project and make decisions.
Encourage students to think outside the box when brainstorming ideas that could
possibly impact the selected issue. Also encourage students to build partnerships
with groups in the community. Be sure to consider how you and/or your class
could elicit support among individuals and groups in the community. Describe a
clear and detailed plan of action to address the selected issue. Possible action
plans could include writing letters to local businesses or members of the local,
state, or federal government, speaking at public forums such as a city council
meeting, writing petitions, making posters or brochures, creating a website or
blog to raise awareness for the issue, contacting the media, or creating a video
documentary using software such as iMovie.
5. Get busy. Publicize the issue in your community and beyond to increase aware-
ness and build partnerships. After you and your students implement the project,
review and evaluate each action.
Consider questions such as:
What were the positive aspects of the project?
What were the major obstacles associated with this project? (Other than time)
How could you improve the project?
How well did the class work as a team?
What did you learn from this project?
What recommendations do you have for other teachers/students who are think-
ing about doing a take action project?
Research suggests that service-learning projects, with an emphasis on civic involve-
ment, can help students develop a sense of self-efficacy, enhance academic achieve-
ment, and improve social skills and civic mindedness (e.g., Schultz 2008).
Facilitating service-learning and action-based experiences in the classroom allows
students to actively participate in their community and discover how one person,
even a young person, can make a difference and connect science to issues within
their community. These projects provide students with the opportunity to examine
problems, select issues that are meaningful to them, come up with action plans, and
work as a team to attempt to solve problems, all while connecting learning to formal
science standards.