The Manduca Project for middle school: The development and pilot testing of a new science curriculum

Abstract

This dissertation describes the development and pilot-testing of a new science curriculum called THE MANDUCA PROJECT for Middle School. The curriculum was developed in accordance with The National Science Education Standards through the cooperative efforts of a diverse group of people; three middle school science teachers, two undergraduate biochemistry majors, a multi-cultural curriculum specialist, and an entomologist with a minor in Teaching and Teacher Education. This group worked during a four week summer workshop, producing the framework for an inquiry-driven science curriculum built around investigations of Manduca sexta, or the tobacco hornworm. In the school year following the development of THE MANDUCA PROJECT for Middle School, the curriculum was pilot-tested in seven sixth grade classroom at two different middle schools. The study objectives were three-fold; first, to determine if the curriculum had any effect of students' science attitude, second, to determine if the curriculum had any effect on students' science process skills acquisition, and third to determine if the curriculum had any effect on students' science process skills acquisition. Results of the study indicated no measurable post-treatment effect on science attitude, a small post-treatment improvement in science concept acquisition, and dramatic post-treatment improvements in science concept acquisition.