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About TOPS BioWeb The TOPS BioWeb Program is a computer-based science program for K - 12 schools in the Los Angeles region. BioWeb was designed, implemented, and continues to be disseminated with generous support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. After an opportunity to become familiar with the hardware and websites of the program, educators are able to use the BioWeb network in their classrooms to enable students to carry out research on a topic of interest to most science classes. In 2003 BioWeb broadened its focus on the Southern California region and encouraged cross-curricular experiences. In late 2007 BioWeb suspended hardware lending activities. Currently, program staff continues to maintain its electronic resources and provide consultation to students, educators, and the public. BioWeb advocates a broad-based approach to the study of any dimension of Southern California. Students choose a topic of interest, ask a question, and develop a project based on that question. Cross-curricular projects and a variety of research approaches are encouraged. Educators and their students develop a mechanism to share BioWeb at their schools. From 2001 - 2006 an annual Student Research Conference was an opportunity for all BioWeb schools to build a regional tapestry of the Southern California experience. Students shared their work in a supportive academic meeting setting at Occidental College in Los Angeles. The goals of the program include promoting and improving inquiry-based education and literacy by providing educators and students with the support and hardware necessary to access web-based curricula in the classroom, encouraging the development and implementation of innovative learning models and encouraging students and educators to become lifelong learners. BioWeb has been used in a variety of K-12 formal and informal learning environments. Educators empolyed the BioWeb approach in courses covering content in science, social studies, mathematics, and language arts.The equipment that was available to each teacher (on loan for approximately one week two to three times per year) included: 10
Macintosh iBooks (with wireless capability) - OS 10.3 The equipment permitted access to the World Wide Web via wireless and/or ethernet connections. The iBooks connected via a local wireless connection or a base station router included with the cart serveed as a distrbuter of a wireless signal from a classroom hard wired connection. In addition, the BioWeb computers had an exclusive BioWeb eLibrary on the hard drive of the 10 Macintosh iBooks. BioWeb
is aligned with the State of California Department of Education Science Content Standards for
public schools. To see the specific topics in the standards that
BioWeb addresses please click here. TOPS BioWeb Professional Development Program The TOPS BioWeb Program was available to K - 12 teachers within a 40 km ( 25 mi) radius of Occidental College. There was no charge for educator the TOPS BioWeb classroom visits, to generous support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Educators are invited to participate in professional development sessions to familiarize
themselves with the computer system and the available websites. During additional sessions, educators are invited to bring several students from their
classes to also become familiar with the BioWeb system so they could
serve as student facilitators in the classroom. Still have questions? Please contact us! |
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