Needs

 A science technology lab would be an asset for 2000 ninth through twelfth grade urban students within the Memphis/ Shelby County Schools because the facility would allow students to practice and hone their inquiry and critical thinking skills by having additional time outside the classroom to participate in innovative labs. The students in this system do not meet the state requirements for AYP in the science and math areas in 2005. The science scores showed a total of 45.3% of students were not proficient in high school science and 48.9% were not proficient in math (TN Dept. of Ed, 2005). Moreover, it would help the students to successfully meet the requirements of the National Science Education Standards. The science technology lab would “offer the research and engineering community an effective mechanism to undertake long-term scientific and technological research and education activities; to explore better and more effective ways to educate students, and develop mechanisms to ensure the timely transition of research and education advances made into service in society” (NSF, 2004, ¶ 3).
 * Statement of Need **

Science students are expected to develop inquiry and critical thinking skills. This means they should be able to properly use the scientific method to solve problems encountered. According to the National Academic Press (2009, pp. 105-107) students must develop:

· Understanding of scientific concepts. · An appreciation of "how we know" what we know in science. · Understanding of the nature of science. · Skills necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world. · The dispositions to use the skills, abilities, and attitudes associated with science. · Understanding about science and technology.

In addition technology is a factor in helping the students to strengthen process skills. The NAP includes standards for science and technology that “establish connections between the natural and designed worlds which emphasize abilities associated with the process of design and fundamental understandings about the enterprise of science and its various linkages with technology” (2009, p. 106, ¶ 2).  The students in the Memphis City/ Shelby County Schools would greatly benefit from such a center and the National Science Foundation grant would be an advantage to the center because it would ensure an “intellectual and physical infrastructure within an between disciplines, and bring together the creation, integration, and transfer of knew knowledge” (NSF, ¶ 2). The educators and administrators slated to operate the center would have to have professional development opportunities to advocate such a center. The HP Innovations grant would allow this. The grant supports leadership capacity, digital learning environments, secondary student design and research, and high-tech career awareness (HP, 2009) and the “use of technology combined with exemplary teaching can positively impact student academic outcomes” (HP pdf, 2009, ¶ 1). References:   **  Hewlett-Packard Development Company. (2009). HP innovations in education – US. Available at: []   **

** Hewlett-Packard Development Company. (2009). HP innovations in education grant 2009 request for proposals secondary schools district– USA. Available at: [] ** The National Academies Press. (2009). National science education standards. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from [|http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php? record_id=4962] **  National Science Foundation. (2004). Science and technology centers: Integrative Partnerships. Available at: []    **

** Tennessee **** Department of Education. (2005). Memphis report card. Available at: [] **