| This
proposal addresses the problem that students with disabilities in
grade 7 through university do not have equal access to biological
laboratories leading to underrepresentation in life sciences. The
goal is to develop resources that can be used nationally to assist
biological educators in designing appropriate laboratory exercises
for students with disabilities. The objectives are: (i) to develop
a Source Book to assist educators in creating effective learning
by students with disabilities in any natural/physical science laboratory
(ii) to develop adaptive laboratory manuals in Biological Sciences
(iii) to train biological educators (college and grades 7-12) in
the use of the Source Book and adaptive laboratory manuals. The
proposed methods are : (a) Resources will be developed by project
coordinators, educators, students and external consultants. Resources
will be tested by educators in the field, and refined before dissemination.
(b) Biological educators will be trained in the use of the resources
by attending a 2 week summer workshop and participating in a Field
Test year at their home institution. Selected educators will develop
leadership skills to enable them to train other educators. The special
audience targeted by the project are educators of students with
disabilities from 7th grade onward. The significance/impact of the
proposed project is that students with disabilities will be better
prepared in laboratory biology starting in 7th grade which will
increase their representation in life science. Disseminable products
of this grant will be the Source Book (applicable to any experimental
science), subject specific adaptive laboratory manuals for Biological
Sciences, and trained human resources. The project will be evaluated
internally, externally and within the academic community. |
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