Laboratory Programs for Elementary School Science: A Meta-Analysis of Effects on Learning.

The article evaluates several curriculum reform projects supported by the National Science Foundation in the U.S. As a result of the effort, three major curriculum programs were developed under the direction of various educational associations. The final outcome of the said programs was the use of laboratory activities instead of using textbooks. Although each of the projects included formative evaluation activities to ensure that materials were usable and effective, there was no nationally coordinated, independent effort to assess their effect on student outcomes.