HR: 0800h
AN: ED21A-0087
TI: Peer Mentoring to Facilitate Original Scientific Research by Students With Special Needs
AU: * Danch, J M
EM: sciencejd@aol.com
AF: Colonia High School, 180 East Street, Colonia, NJ 07067, United States
AB: Developed to allow high school students with special needs to participate in original scientific research, the Peer Mentoring Program was a supplement to existing science instruction for students in a self-contained classroom. Peer mentors were high school seniors at the end of a three-year advanced science research course who used their experience to create and develop inquiry-based research activities appropriate for students in the self- contained classroom. Peer mentors then assisted cooperative learning groups of special education students to facilitate the implementation of the research activities. Students with special needs successfully carried out an original research project and developed critical thinking and laboratory skills. Prior to embarking on their undergraduate course of study in the sciences, peer mentors developed an appreciation for the need to bring original scientific research to students of all levels. The program will be expanded and continued during the 2007-2008 school year.
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 0820 Curriculum and laboratory design
DE: 0825 Teaching methods
DE: 0855 Diversity
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting