| As a secondary science teacher I implemented a program with thirty-six (N=36) ninth grade students enrolled in a Regent's Living Environment Science. The program intervention was the LE-MAP (Living Environment for Marginal Performance) Program, for students of marginal skills, (i.e., students who had performed low in previous science assessments or had not been successful in passing science). The LE-MAP Program corresponded to the state's existing Core Regent's Living Environment Curriculum and was developed in order to boost motivation, self-confidence, and learning skills in preparation for the Regent's exam. The program was investigated by using qualitative methods. All data about student performance were collected during the investigative or laboratory activities and field experiences of this program and were compiled and analyzed (qualitatively and quantitatively) to determine the effectiveness of the program toward improving students' science skills.;The four major findings from the study show that (1) the program was highly rated in approval by outsiders, teachers, and students; and that the program should continue to be used by other students of similar difficulties and skill level; (2) teachers should be a part of the decision-making in schools, especially pertaining to science curriculum development, because teachers have personal contact and insights into the experiences and ways that students think; (3) the impact of the LE-MAP Program proved to be an overwhelming success for the students in that they were able to design their own science projects and present them in front of teachers and peers, offer evaluative feedback, and apply science skills they learned within the program; and (4) the students' performance on the state Regent's Living Environment Examination was successfully high and notable. Therefore, this study concludes that intervention programs designed to foster science thinking, inquiry-learning, and teacher support in teaching and learning science, such as the LE-MAP Program, are indeed appropriate to motivate students to excel in learning science. |
