WestEd, a non-profit education research and development organization, is partnering with Myriad Sensors, Inc., developers of PocketLab, to test their new online lab notebook and class collaboration platform through funding from the Institute of Education Sciences Small Business Innovation Research grant (IES SBIR). PocketLab is a system of wireless sensors, apps, and cloud software that enables anyone to build a hands-on science experiment.
 
WestEd is currently recruiting 8th grade science teachers to participate in a classroom pilot study evaluating the PocketLab system. The study will take place during the 2020-2021 school year. Teachers will be randomized into either the PocketLab group or the Control group.
 
If you are interested in learning more, please complete this brief survey, and a WestEd researcher will follow up with you: CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY 

PocketLab group teachers will be asked to use the PocketLab Notebook (online) with students to complete a series of 6 NGSS aligned investigations covering the following topics: MS-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions, MS-PS3 Energy, MS-PS4-2 Waves and their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer. These labs are set up for distance learning, if needed. Control teachers will be asked to teach these topics in their regular way.

Participating teachers will administer a student attitudinal survey and content assessment to their students before and after completing all study activities, and will complete teacher surveys after each lesson and at the beginning and conclusion of the study.
 
For their participation, all teachers will receive one free PocketLab sensor ($148 value) and one PocketLab Notebook Pro License ($150 value) to keep at the conclusion of the study (Note: Control teachers will receive these at the conclusion of the data collection period)!

PocketLab group teachers will receive up to $800 depending on completed study activities. Teachers will receive $50 for completing the study training, $600 for implementing PocketLab in the classroom and administering associated assessments, and $150 for completing both administrations of the teacher survey.
 
Control group teachers will receive up to $500 depending on completed study activities. Teachers will receive $50 for completing the study training, $300 for teaching specific topics and administering associated assessments, and $150 for completing both administrations of the teacher survey. Additional stipends of $50 will be paid to teachers who participate in additional optional interviews.

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