Council of State Science Supervisors March 2011

Sally Ride Science Founded in employees (educators, scientists, writers, technical staff) Specialists in K-8 science education Create accurate and engaging standards-based science content Provide high-quality teacher training

It’s suicidal to create a society that depends on science and technology... in which no one knows anything about science and technology. - Carl Sagan

Science Education: A National Imperative Science and technology fuel the nat’l economy global competitiveness depends on next generation of scientists, engineers 80% of jobs in next 10 years will require science/technology skills (includes basic, living wage jobs) Science literacy increasingly important Science Education is now in focus

The Research In 4 th grade, students “like” science (NCES) 68% of boys, 66% of girls Students begin to disengage in 5 th -8 th grade Reasons: many, but largely societal Subtle messages, stereotypes, perceived peer reaction, perceived relevance Research suggests effective strategies to sustain interest & engage them in science (particularly among girls and underrepresented minorities) Counter stereotypes early; make science/scientists relevant

Our Teacher Training Program Research-based Train-the-trainer model Targets teachers in elementary and (separately) middle school Teachers trained on Importance of STEM education to all students Research on when and why students disengage Research-based classroom strategies and resources -- to incorporate into existing curriculum: including science, math, language arts.

Teacher Training Program (cont’d) Designed to help teachers Fuel students’ interest in science Humanize science & scientists/engineers Encourage students to think about themselves and their aspirations Guide students in setting goals Instill information about future workforce needs (and STEM careers) Practice and be comfortable with “Best Practices” of science

Academy Training Format 4-day summer training (funded by ExxonMobil) Trainer of trainers model Participants selected by their district, come in teams Team consists of An administrator (e.g.,Science Coordinator--leadership critical) 3 master teachers 1 counselor (middle school; partnered with ASCA) Provided: Detailed training manual and trainer’s script Resources and activities Access to online network (support, resources, community) Support for training back in their districts

Academy Results to Date 2 summers of Academy training 400 trainers trained (representing ~40 districts; e.g., Houston ISD, Miami-Dade, DC public schools) By June, those trainers will have trained ~4000 teachers in their districts Program has undergone 3 rd party evaluation since inception First year results: statistically significant impact on Teacher practices Student attitudes Trainers and their trainees very positive about program

Extend to Site-Based Format Use other funding sources to bring training to large districts, or defined geographic regions. Model: Intensive 2+-day training for cohorts of 50 trainers, training in teams. Trainers identified/selected by, e.g., State Science Coordinator Provide training resources and access to continuing online support and network Teams of trainers train other teachers in their regions, in roughly 10:1 ratio per session, with funding provided by district/state

Site-Based Format (Cont’d) Funded: Office of Naval Research (start June ‘11) Partnering initially with LA & MS, then likely AL to train elementary school teachers in the Central Gulf Coast region Grant funds training & support of trainers, and working with State on subsequent implementation plan. Subsequent training funded through, e.g., MSP, Title II, etc. Pending: NSF (potential start July ’11) Partnering with states (initially LA, TN, AZ) to train middle school science teachers statewide Grant funds training & support of trainers; states or districts fund subsequent training – e.g., through MSP, Title II, etc Potential to extend to 4 more states

Why CSSS? Make CSSS aware of this professional development training (train-the-trainer model, training elementary and middle school teachers on research and strategies to engage students in science, help them think about their futures and make connections to workforce and STEM careers) Obtain CSSS support for future grant proposals Obtain member advice on implementation strategies for particular states, as appropriate

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