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The primary objective of the Oklahoma Science Project (OSP) is to provide Oklahoma's public high school science teachers with novel instructional tools that they can use to introduce their students to the nature of science and scientific discovery. The OSP is especially determined to reach out to teachers from Oklahoma's rural school districts, which serve small communities lacking museums, universities, or other resources that in larger communities exist to supplement science instruction offered in the schools.
At the heart of the OSP is the Summer Course, an 8-week research experience at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation where teachers carry out research projects focused on genes, mutations, and natural selection. Projects are technologically simple, logically transparent, conceptually focused, and inexpensive. The Summer Course also includes training in information technology. Under the `Return to Science' component of the project, teachers can return to OMRF in subsequent summers for periods of one month to reinforce skills, knowledge, and confidence.
OSPNet and E-Lab are new additions to the Oklahoma Science Project. OSPNet is a telecommunications-based network of teachers, students, and OSP staff. Networking will be by videoconferencing over OneNet, Oklahoma's high-speed, broadband Internet backbone. OSPNet's main purposes are to allow OSP to reach into the classroom, to take advantage of Summer Course graduates to mentor junior colleagues, and to allow OSP staff direct classroom observation of students and teachers. OSPNet will be coordinated with curricular elements on OSP's website, which also includes E-Lab, an electronic lab notebook that encourages collaborative interactions.
Using the technology of OSPNet, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has developed partnerships with other research organizations interested in implementing programming similar to that already developed by the Oklahoma Science Project at ORMF.
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