I believe that active learning can be an intricate tool in teaching the sciences. If active learning is used in a manner that is appropriate for the material being used then it will help create, for some students, an ease in learning because that unit was made more applicable to them.
When reading through the articles I found some different techniques that I think should be implemented together. I would use the five phased learning-cycle approach (Allen and Tanner)to help my students explore a very broad topic in science course. Then I would introduce Smith's problem-based learning and have them develop, in groups, a short presentation on more in depth topics for that particular unit. They would get the topic and various resources from me. Their presentations is what the exams and quizzes would be based on.
