This book reports on the professional development program Model Science Lab Project which provides a new perspective of science teaching and learning to both teachers and students. During the project, participants benefited from additional time during the study year, science content training, pedagogy training, curriculum resources, reduced teaching load, a special classroom, office hours, leadership development, and interaction with the local community and the professional community. A further description of the program is provided in the ensuing chapters. Chapters include: (1) "Overview: A New View of Learning"; (2) "Discoveries in a Classroom"; (3) "A Dream Plan...and a Reality Check"; (4) "Teacher Focus on Student Understanding"; (5) "Understanding the Student"; (6)"(Mis)Understandings in Science"; (7) "Science Content"; (8) "How to Teach for Understanding"; (9) "Interacting with Peers"; (10) "A Critical Issue--The Human Factor"; and (11) "To Dare." Appendices include Curriculum Resources, Profiles of Resident Teachers, Sample Schedule in the Model Science Lab, Houston Independent School District, Time Line of Model Science Lab, and Factors in Sustained Reform. (Contains 24 references.) (YDS)