Research-Based Design

One of our partner institutions, SEPUP, is the embodiment of the research-based development process. Since its inception over 30 years ago, SEPUP has served as a focus of educational research. Doctoral dissertations, journal articles, conference papers, and federal studies have examined SEPUP's approach to science education and its effectiveness in the field. SEPUP is one of several research-based curriculum groups at the Lawrence Hall of Science, at UC Berkeley.

Still need some convincing? Check out the extensive bibliography and summary of research findings on the curricula SEPUP has developed. The results of 20 years of research on the SEPUP program indicates positive effects on student learning in the following areas: content knowledge, problem-solving, decision-making, investigation skills, increased interest in science, and increased perception of the relevance of science to students’ lives.