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The topic of this case study is the scientific method and the integration of technology. The case study was conducted at Arlington Accelerated Learning Academy (AALA). The case study was conducted from February 2 through April 16, 2010. The work involved in the case study was a collaborative effort between Autumn Iwanonkiw, middle school science teacher and Erin McClay, 2-8 technology teacher.
 * Overview of Case Study **

Arlington Accelerated Learning Academy is one of eight ALA’s in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Arlington services 425 students in K-8. While all middle school students were required to participate in the scientific method unit, only the 7th grade students participated in the case study. In total, 38 seventh grade students participated in the case study.

The science curriculum that is used by the Pittsburgh Public schools for middle school is the Full Option Science System (FOSS). The project aligns to science, technology, language arts and math standards. The district requires each student in 6th, 7th and 8th grade to conduct a scientific experiment using the process of scientific investigation. The past practice was a requirement that students display the process and results of the experiment using a trifold board. While teaching the scientific method through the process of experimentation fosters essential 21st Century Skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and creative thinking, the practice of displaying process and results using a trifold board minimizes the authenticity of the experience and does little to integrate 21st Century Skills into the learning process.

To that end, the essential question for this case study was: The concepts for this case study were: The methodology used in this case study varied. During science class, students participated in direct and indirect instruction lessons addressing the process of scientific investigation. Students also participated in hands on activities to prepare them for independent work on their projects. In technology class, students received hands on direct instruction using PowerPoint. The students created a PowerPoint help file that they could reference in the event that the have difficulty during formatting of the science project presentation. Ultimately, students were required to conduct an experiment and display the process and finding using PowerPoint.
 * In what ways can we display the process and results of a scientific investigation using technology?
 * Using the scientific method, students will be able to conduct a scientific experiment.
 * Using Microsoft PowerPoint, students will be able to display the scientific experiment process.

The assessments for this case study were project based. Finally, the findings which were based on surveys and grade information indicate that overall, more of the current 7th grade students completed a science project this year than during their 6th grade year and that 12 of the students received a higher grade than last year.