Research Projects

Molecules and Minds: Optimizing Simulations for Chemistry Education

Project Summary

The goal of the project is to develop effective chemistry simulations that are optimized for a broad range of learners, including students of ethnic or racial minority groups that have underachieved academically. We will

  • Develop and test interventions that use high-impact simulations and that could be combined to form a high school chemistry curriculum
  • Obtain data to assess the potential efficacy of our interventions for a diverse audience, including academically underachieving students.
  • Foster design partnerships involving teachers, educational researchers, educational technologies, and scientist to serve as a model for reform.
  • Provide design guidelines for simulations in science education based on empirical evidence for student learning.

Contact

Funding

Funder: U.S. Department of Education/Institute of Education Sciences
Project Amount: $1,956,204 for August 2007 - July 2011

Opportunities for Student Involvement