Proposal: The Implementation of a Regional Integrated Program in Project-Based Inquiry at LDISS

All students need to be given the opportunity to discover the power of their own mind. Ann McIlmoyle HBSC BED MED MA EDD OCT PHF

Two goals of Technological Education in Ontario, as identified in The Ontario Curriculum (2009), are: 1.) to develop a creative and flexible approach to problem-solving; 2.) to develop the skills of critical thinking and knowledge of strategies required to do research, conduct inquiries, and communicate findings accurately, ethically, and effectively. 

In support of these goals, the Ministry instructs teachers to : provide numerous hands-on opportunities for students to develop and refine their problem-solving skills, critical and creative thinking skills, and communication skills while discovering fundamental concepts through inquiry, exploration, observation and research The Ontario Curriculum: Technology, (2009).

Research confirms that this type of development can be achieved very effectively through the enactment of project-based inquiry.

In the Coaching Model of Project-based Inquiry that was implemented at LDISS, students were guided through the process of conducting scientific investigations which they had designed on topics of interest to them.

The teacher’s role, throughout the investigative process, was that of mentor and coach actively supporting students by scaffolding skill development and providing on-going feedback with a mastery learning approach.

The American Psychological Association maintains that learning is most effective when it is: self-directed, active, goal-directed and personally relevant to the student.

This Coaching Model of Project-based inquiry would be successfully implemented in all subject areas and serves as a very effective gateway to integrating learning across the curriculum. In this vision, a student or small group of students would work on one project during their school year in a topic of their choice supervised by a mentor.

Project-Based Inquiry Broad-Based Technology Academic and Related Academic Subjects Project-Based Inquiry Integrated within a Broad-Based Technology Program at LDISS

An Example of the Integration of Learning Through Project-Based Inquiry Project: Designing a driver-friendly seat suitable for use in heavy equipment History Geography Mathematics Business Education English Manufacturing Technological Design Construction Technology: Heavy Equipment Communication Technology Communication Science Transportation: Heavy Equipment

Why Teach Inquiry……  The purpose of inquiry and research is to encourage high levels of critical thinking so that processes and resources are appropriate, conclusions are based on supporting evidence, and problems are solved and decisions made that will extend learning for a lifetime. Ontario School Library Association (1999)

LDISS is a special place for learning which has produced extraordinary success and recognition both Nationally and Internationally in Science and Engineering Competitions. It is time for the educational community to fully recognize the success of LDISS and allow the uniqueness and spirit of this Rural Ontario School to build on its legacy of excellence by taking Project- Based Inquiry forward in the goal of more fully preparing students for success in University, College, and the World of Work.

It is time to allow LDISS to ‘raise the bar’ in Education. Ann-Elizabeth McIlmoyle Prime Minister’s Award in Mathematics, Science and Technology (1996) and a Graduate of LDISS

A Summary of the Outstanding Record of LDISS Student Achievement in the Canada-Wide Science Fair and in International Science and Engineering Fairs ( ) follows as an Appendix

In the Canada-Wide Science Fair, LDISS students won 12 Medals : 5 Bronze; 1 Silver; 5 Gold 1 Platinum (Best in the Fair)

Scholarships : Trent University; University of Western Ontario; U.O.I.T.; University of British Columbia; University of Ottawa; Dalhousie University; University of Manitoba; University of Edmonton; Calgary University.

Special Awards: 1.) The Petro-Canada Peer Excellence Award; 2.) Three Excellence in Science Awards; 3.) Five Senior Environmental Awards; 4.) Two Awards of Excellence in Waste Management; 5.) Two Challenge Awards in Health; 6.) The Weizmann Award for Scientific Achievement;

Special Awards (continued) 7.) The Milset Expo-Science Award (a monetary award and a trip to Tunis, Tunisia to compete in the Milset Expo-Science Competition)- Sarah Langer. 8.) Three Stockholm Junior Water Prizes -Alysson Bell (2010); -Shayla Larson and Adam Noble (2011); -Nicole Gastle and Savanna Massimo (2012).

Special Awards (continued) 9.) The Stockholm Junior Water Award a monetary award and an all-expense trip to Stockholm Sweden to compete in the Junior Water Competition -Shayla Larson and Adam Noble (2011).

Special Awards (continued) 10.) The Canadian Manning Innovation Award: -Alysson Bell (2010); -Adam Noble and Shayla Larson (2011); -Nicole Gastle and Savanna Massimo (2012); -Adam Noble (2013).

Special Awards (continued) 11.) The Ernest C. Manning Foundation Young Canadian Award for Innovation and Technology (a monetary award and a trip to present their science project at the annual Manning Institute Innovation and Technology Conference). -Alysson Bell (2010); - Shayla Larson and Adam Noble (2011); -Adam Noble (2013).

International Science and Engineering Fairs: Milset-Team Canada: First Prize and the Enrique Padilla Award: Sarah Langer (2009) Stockholm Junior Water Competition: Second Prize. Shayla Larson and Adam Noble (2011)

Intel US International Science and Engineering Fair : First Prize in Senior Environmental Science; Best in the Senior Division; Adam Noble (2012) The Dudley R. Herschbach Award (including a trip to Stockholm Sweden to attend the Nobel Prize Ceremonies (2012) where Adam presented his project to the assembled Nobel Laureates during Nobel Dialogue week.)

European International Science and Engineering Fair, Bratislava, Slovakia First Prize, a monetary award of $5000 Euros. Adam Noble

The Weston Award for Achievement in Science: In , Adam’s studies of Euglena were featured at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto.