The past decade has seen a major movement to reform math and science education.  Many of these efforts are aimed at changing the way we teach science and math as well as the types of skills that students learn.

Yesterday Focusing on student acquisition of information		Today Focusing on student understanding and use of scientific knowledge, ideas, and inquiry processes
Presenting scientific knowledge through lecture, text, and demonstration		Guiding students in active and  extended scientific inquiry
Investigations confined to one class period		Investigations over extended periods of time
Doing few investigations in order to leave time to cover large amounts of content knowledge		Doing more investigations in order to develop understanding, ability, values of inquiry and of science content

(from National Science Education Standards)

More than ever higher-order thinking skills, such as problem solving and critical thinking, are necessary to be active learners and productive citizens.  So how do we best prepare our students for this new world?  We provide opportunities where they are able to learn to:

• organize and criticize data and information.
• develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills.  
• build teams and engage in group work.  
• call on the knowledge of others to assist in their learning.