ABSTRACT
In Sonia Burke’s internship (student teaching) in a first year biology course, her mentor teacher, Trina McTire has been integrating STS into all of her courses by having teams of students complete a project that connects everyday life experiences of the students to the content of biology. The results of the projects are published online on McTire’s course website, and the students make team presentations in class. Teams in this one-semester biology course design three projects of their choosing. Burke’s mentor asks her to take responsibility for working with the students in the development of their first project in her period 1 biology class. One of the teams decides to do an STS project related to a unit on human reproduction. The proposed project submitted to Ms. Burk for review was entitled: Birth control centers on the high school campus. In their proposal, the students wrote, “It is evident that teenage pregnancy is a problem at our high school. Last month, twelve girls had to leave school because of pregnancy. We plan to investigate this problem, and make recommendations for the school administration. One idea we are thinking of is to have a birth control information center in our school. We will research different options and come up with what we think is the best way to reduce pregnancies among high school students.” The student team has 3 weeks to do their research, design a website, and prepare their interactive presentation. During the 3-week research period, Dr. Jennie Sprague, principal of the high school, sends an email to Dr. McTire indicating that there are two parents that have questioned the reasons and basis for students being “allowed” to do a project on birth control. Dr. Sprague, who is an advocate of STS curriculum implementation, has set up a meeting with the parents in 2 days time at 7:00 a.m.
