Introduction

Abstract

A profound revolution is quietly and rapidly expanding the nature of science education throughout the world. Student-scientist collaborations have always been the hallmark of science education and inquiry at the forefront of scientific research. The traditional mentor and research assistant models, especially appropriate in laboratory and field settings, are expanding and extending through student-scientist partnerships (SSPs). Both technological advances and facilitation by science teachers are furthering this development worldwide. These collaborations, SSPs, have certain primary characteristics:

• 1. Scientists ask and use students to help answer questions that could never before be fully addressed because large numbers of strategically positioned observers were lacking.

• 2. Students gather and analyze data, so are involved in large-scale projects never before operable—projects that involve authentic and important scientific questions.

• 3. Science teachers are active intermediaries not only for explaining science, but also for helping scientists and students implement their research.