1. 1 Museum Institute for Teaching Science MITS Summer Institute 2006 CSI: Cycles, Systems, & Inquiry

2. 2 MITS Summer Institute addresses: S T E M Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

3. 3 Learn the processes of inquiry-based teaching. Learn about education resources. Become familiar with the steps of critical thinking. Partake in diverse inquiry-based activities. Align Frameworks to unit and lesson plans. Activities are linked to Massachusetts State Frameworks. Receive college credit.

4. 4 The MITS Summer Institute is designed for K-8 classroom, science, special education, pre-service and substitute teachers. Aides, curriculum specialists, home schoolers, and administrators are welcome. Summer Institute LOCATIONS/REGIONS -Berkshire -Boston -Cape Cod -Essex -Lowell -Metro West -Southeast -Springfield -Worcester

5. 5 “Every site provided new knowledge, great activities, and wonderful facilitators.” Courses are facilitated at museums, nature centers, aquariums, zoos, and conservancies by site educators. Each region has 4 – 7 sites that you will visit during the two-week Institute.

6. 6

7. 7 “Inquiry-based lessons are an excellent strategy to use to develop a more thorough understanding of science, as well as stimulate a greater interest in it.”

8. 8

9. 9 “This has been a wonderful two weeks. Thanks for this terrific, educational experience!”

10. 10

11. 11 “The opportunity to share ideas with other teachers and professionals is something we can never get enough of. I enjoyed being introduced to activities and ideas I hadn’t thought of before.”

12. 12

13. 13 “We all have different abilities and that is why inquiry works best, because a child can contribute their strength to the group dynamics.”

14. 14

15. 15 “ It was helpful when she explained how she adapts the lessons to various grade levels. It reminded me that simpler is better for the kindergarten level.”

16. 16

17. 17 “ I feel inspired to return to my classroom and implement some of the hands-on activities that I enjoyed.”

18. 18

19. 19 “ I will say again that I have never gone to a workshop where there wasn’t at least one day that was a complete waste of time, until now! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

20. 20

21. 21 “ I have found these past two weeks enjoyable and enlightening. It has given me a shot in the arm and has helped me get more excited about teaching.”

22. 22

23. 23 “ I found my observation skills better and my thirst for knowledge wetted. Just being in an environment peaked my knowledge. This reminds me that children need to be part of an activity.”

24. 24

25. 25

26. 26 “ The activities were very challenging and motivating, which assisted us in our journey to learn ‘to think outside the box.”’

27. 27 Science Is Elementary Inquiry-Based, Hands-On, Minds-On Activities to Add Depth to Your K-6 Curriculum

28. 28 K-6 Inquiry-Based Activities