Improving high school students' performance in chemistry with a hands-on approach

This project was based on the premise that students' performance in high school chemistry would improve with a outcomes-based, hands-on approach. The students became active participants in the learning of acid-base chemistry. They learned through the increased use of laboratory work and a project-based investigation rather than the standard lecture, discussion, and reading. Emphasis was on collaborative rather than individual learning.;Having students actively involved, making connections between what they are learning in chemistry and their lives allowed them to have a better understanding of the acid-base concepts presented, to make connection between the scientific process and the skills needed for lifelong learning, and to find more enjoyment in the process of learning chemistry.;The teacher acted as a guide focusing students on the inquiry, challenging them to devise their own methods for problem solving, encouraging all students to participate fully, and modeling the skills of scientific inquiry. The teacher was the primary but not the only evaluator of the students' progress and learning. Partial assessment was based on rubrics created by the instructor and presented to students prior to their attempting the activities. The students engaged in self-assessment and peer evaluation.