Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/669580
"Today, you are scientists," Pia VanMeter tells students in her marine biology class. " You must persuade members of the National Science Foundation to fund your research projects." Students begin their presentations in PowerPoint or Prezi. One group plans to tackle the Great Pacific Garbage Patch floating in the ocean — bigger than Texas and hurting sea life — with an underwater robotic vehicle to study currents to determine where pollution is coming from. Price tag: $366,000. e group receives approval. Another group asks for $10 million to study penguin habitats affected by climate change; it gets a no vote for being too expensive and without clear goals. Much work went into picking projects: Students researched marine life, created wikis, and selected methods to best conduct research — including sonar, remote-controlled vehicles, and underwater research stations. ey set goals and created budgets based on actual costs. "I love this project," says Brooke Fenex, a senior. "It's fun and interesting. Our teacher is not holding our hands. We are thinking for ourselves and going in whatever direction we want." A WORK IN PROGRESS A look at California's new standards By SHERRY POSNICK- GOODWIN Photos by SCOTT BUSCHMAN Educator Pia VanMeter, left, incorporates new math and English language arts standards into her marine biology lessons. 24 cta.org