Universal Design of Inquiry-Based Middle and High School Science Curriculum

EDC, the University of Michigan, and the Center for Applied Special Technology are applying the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to customize science curricula to serve a wide range of student learning needs.

Specifically, this project will:

• Develop UDL guidelines for Universal Design for Science.
• Design a Web-based UDL Inquiry Science System (ISS). With this software system, curriculum developers can digitally customize inquiry-based science curricula to incorporate UDL features.
• Develop and evaluate a model UDL unit based on EDC’s Foundation Science Biology curriculum. This unit illustrates the application of UDL to science curricula and the resulting benefits to high school students with and without learning disabilities.

This universal design project will enable underserved and marginalized students to expand and improve their science learning and will show what factors contribute to their success. Curriculum developers will be able to apply the project’s design guidelines, model curricula, and ISS to other materials efficiently and cost effectively, creating many research opportunities as a result.