Proposal:

The Implementation of a

Regional Integrated

Program in

Project-Based Inquiryat

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

GeographyMathematics

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

(2007-2013)

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 2012-2013, Adam’s studies of Euglena

were featured at the Ontario Science Centre in

Toronto.