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Where SIMply Prairie Fits in the Curriculum:

SIMply Prairie is a two-week interdisciplinary project for grades 5-8 and includes science, language arts, math and social studies. This project is best conducted in the fall when the prairie plants are more easily identified. It might also be conducted in May. Access to a prairie habitat and Internet access are required.
A description of how the authors taught the project.
A tutorial for teachers new to problem-based learning.

Alignment with National Science Education Standards: This project demonstrates some elements of the following:

Teaching Standards:
- A: Plan an inquiry-based science program
- B: Guide and facilitate learning
- C: Engage in ongoing assessment of teaching and student learning
- D: Design and manage learning environment
- E: Develop communities of science learners
- F: Participate in ongoing planning and development of science program
Assessment Standards:
- A: Consistent with the decisions they are designed to inform
- B: Achievement and opportunity to learn science
- C: Quality of data matched to decisions and actions taken
- D: Assessments fair
Content Standards (Grades 5-8):
- A: Science as inquiry
- C: Life Science
- F: Science in personal and social perspectives
- G: History and nature of science
Program Standards:
- A: Consistent with other standards
- B: Developmentally appropriate, interesting, and relevant
- C: Coordinated with mathematics program
- D: Access to appropriate and sufficient resources
- E: Equitable student access

Alignment with the National Educational Technology Standards for Students: This project demonstrates some elements of the following:

1. Basic operations an concepts

Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.
Students are proficient in the use of technology.
2. Social, ethical, and human issues

Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.
3. Technology productivity tools

Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.
4. Technology communication tools

Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.
Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.
5. Technology research tools

Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources
Students use technology tools to process data and report results
Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.
6. Technology problem-solving and decisioin-making tools

Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions.
Students employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world.