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GALAXY's largest installation is funded by the state legislature in Georgia, growing from 225 classrooms in 1996 to over 2500 classrooms, 700 schools and 120 counties. GALAXY has been well-tested over the years but has not expanded widely or rapidly due to lack of funding and the continued emphasis on math and literacy in elementary school. Six studies have been completed by WestEd, one of the leading U.S. research laboratories, on GALAXY's effectiveness from 1993 to 2002.
These independent research studies show extraordinary teacher acceptance of the curricula and widespread student enthusiasm. Significantly, math and literacy gains have been documented as an indirect result of the GALAXY science curricula.
According to teachers in WestEd studies, GALAXY is the most effective use of technology in school. This effectiveness is a result of the compelling challenges posed to the students by the video story characters and by the carefully planned layering of hands-on activities that enable students to discover rather than memorize. GALAXY Classroom students and teachers have all the tools and opportunities they need to learn, to inquire, to reason, to employ the scientific method, and to want to remember the facts and performance standards required by states. Whether it is the hands-on kits containing laser pointers, sponges, chemicals and more, or the video stories, online activities, or group viewing of student work, GALAXY students and teachers have what they need to be engaged.
Given GALAXY science success, Best Practice Networks has committed to using the lessons learned, and the learning and professional development model constructed, to focus directly on literacy and math student learning challenges facing our schools.
The evaluations of the GALAXY Classroom Project by WestEd 2001:
GALAXY Classroom Science Evaluation for Grades K-2 (pdf)
GALAXY Classroom Science Evaluation for Grades 3-5 (pdf)
GALAXY Classroom Project Evaluation, Language Arts for Grades 3-5 (pdf)
The Effectiveness of GALAXY for Teaching Standards-based Science in Grades 3-4 (pdf)
The Impact of GALAXY Classroom on Pilot Students (pdf)
The Continuing Impact of GALAXY on Early-Adopting Teachers (pdf)
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If you are unable to open the pdf files, click the Get Acrobat Reader icon to download a free copy to your computer. |
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