Indicates a research-demonstrated benefit

Scientific Community Laboratories

Overview

Design labs in which students learn how to produce, analyze, and evaluate scientific evidence. Each lab consists of a simple question for students to answer experimentally. There is no lab manual or instructions for how to answer the question. They work in groups to design an experiment, carry it out, analyze it, and present their results for discussion with the other students in the class.  They critique each other's experiments and then evaluate how to improve their experiments.

	Type of Method	Instructional strategy, Curriculum supplement
	Level	Designed for: Intro College Algebra-based Can be adapted for: Teacher Preparation, Teacher Professional Development, High School, Intro College Calculus-based, Intro College Conceptual, Intermediate Undergraduate, Advanced Undergraduate, Astronomy, Other Science
	Setting	Designed for: Lab
	Coverage	Few topics with great depth, Many topics with less depth
	Topics	Mechanics, Electricity / Magnetism, Waves / Optics
	Instructor Effort	High
	Resource Needs	Lab equipment for student use - professional, Tables arranged for group work
	Skills	Designed for: Reflecting on one's own learning, Laboratory skills, Designing experiments, Conceptual understanding of physics content, Coherent framework for physics, Think like a scientist, Self-confidence around physics, Enjoyment of physics, Creativity, Autonomy, engage in sensemaking Can be adapted for: Problem-solving skills, Connecting conceptual and mathematical understanding, Understanding how physics relates to the real world, Representing knowledge in multiple ways
	Research Validation	Based on research into: how students learn Demonstrated to improve: metacognitive skills, laboratory skills Studied using: classroom observations, video of students
	Compatible Methods	Peer Instruction, PhET, UW Tutorials, JiTT, Ranking Tasks, ILDs, CGPS, Physlets, Context-Rich Problems, TIPERs, ABP Tutorials, SCALE-UP, OSP, OST Tutorials, Thinking Problems, Workbook for Introductory Physics, LA Program, CAE TPS, MBL, CPU, TEFA, M&I, Tutorials, Clickers
	Similar Methods	RealTime Physics, Tools for Scientific Thinking
	Developer(s)	Rebecca Lippmann Kung, Paul Gresser, and Joe Redish
	Website	http://umdperg.pbworks.com/w/page/10511229/Scientific-Community-Labs