EXTRA-CURRICULAR SCIENCE LABS FOR GIFTED STUDENTS

Abstract

In the past couple of years numerous extra-curricular science laboratories (‘school labs’) have been established, their main objective being to attract school students to science and technology. The DLR_School_Lab Oberpfaffenhofen, operated by Germany's national research center for aeronautics and space, DLR, is a typical example for such a science lab. Apart from hands-on experiments offered for students, one of its key activities is the education of teachers. In this paper the basic concept of an extra-curricular science lab is presented, as well as the special concept of the DLR_School_Lab and its strong ties to state-of-the-art-aerospace research and technology. The lab’s great expertise from numerous high-level enrichment projects for highly talented secondary school students is described. Furthermore, its teacher education concept and capabilities with respect to gifted education is demonstrated. Finally, results from internal and external evaluations are presented which indicate the successful operation of extra-curricular science labs.