2008-2009 Teacher Development OpportunitiesAgnes Scott CollegeUsing Food to Connect Middle School Subject Areas Dr. Nancy Devino Agnes Scott College will offer a professional development program for middle school science teachers in the DeKalb County School System (DCSS) and eligible Atlanta area schools. The workshop will use food as a vehicle for increasing participants' understanding of selected Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). Participants will apply the understadings as they design and implement a GPS-based interdisciplinary unit on food using GeorgiaStandards.Org's online unit builder tools. They will also learn how the foods studied in the workshop can be used by the English/language arts, mathematics, and social studies teachers on their middle school team. A second goal of the workshop is to build capacity for school teacher professional development within the DCSS by training participants to become leaders in science education. The second week of the workshop, scheduled for late July, will prepare selected participants to facilitate teacher in-service workshops during the academic year. Albany State UniversityHigh School GPS Math with TI Technology I
The High School Math GPS with TI Technology I project provides training for high school teachers implementing the new GPS for Mathematics 1. This project will train the first cohort of 16 out of a total of 44 mathematics teachers from four high schools in Dougherty County School System (DCSS). These teachers will be trained to implement GPS mathematics using TI technology (TI-Calculator, TI-Smartview and TI-Navigator Classroom Learning System) in a collaborative learning environment that focuses on student learning. This workshop will addresses 9th grade GPS mathematics 1 and will be conducted during the summer with sustained contact including content, integrating TI technology , and technical support, throughout the 2008-2009 academic year. Armstrong Atlantic State UniversityGeorgia Habitats Workshop
The Georgia Habitats Workshop is designed to take elementary grade teachers through a variety of habitats that are found in Georgia and to provide an opportunity to study these first hand. Participants will visit several of the Nature Conservatories throughout the state, canoe down the Chattahoochee River, and climb Brasstown Bald. There will be science experts on the trip, as well as at the visiting sites, to lead the teachers through the habitats and assist in their learning. Time spent on the bus and at the hotel will contribute to building a community as teachers to share ideas and discuss teaching strategies. Higher education faculty will be active participants in the workshop and in follow-up sessions. Participants of the 7 days/6 nights field trip will earn 5 PLUs and will enhance their instruction of earth science. Armstrong Atlantic State UniversityPhysical Science for Elementary Teachers Dr. Sabitra Brush This course is based on the physical science content knowledge required by Georgia's Performance Standards. It will be offered in Summer 2008 for 4 hours of graduate credit and/or 5 PLUs and Fall 2008 for 5 PLUs. Most elementary teachers surveyed were found to have a minimal physical science content knowledge background and they expressed a fear of physical science. In order to assist these teachers with gaining confidence in this subject area, various pedagogical approaches will be woven into the course including inquiry techniques, hands-on science activities, demonstrations, team teaching involving chemistry and physics instructors, and two veteran high school teachers as laboratory co-teachers. The Fall 2008 component of the project consists of learning community meetings, online discussion groups and classroom visits designed to assist teachers with the implementation of content knowledge and laboratory skills developed during Summer 2008. Armstrong Atlantic State UniversityScience Process Skills for Teachers Dr. Sabitra Brush Airplanes, wetlands, water chemistry, coastal barrier islands, turtle research, rescue and environmental concerns! These are just a few of the vast array of topics that middle school teachers can incorporate in their classrooms when trying to address the content requirements for the Georgia Performance Standards. Middle school teachers will each receive a wealth of classroom and curriculum materials, work alongside local scientists, engineers and researchers, and design various inquiry type classroom activities related the GPS. Participants in this program include Gulfstream, Project Wet, Adopt-A-Wetland, and Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve. The course will be offered in Summer 2008 for 4 hours graduate credit and/or 5 PLUs and Fall 2008 for 5 PLUs. The Fall 2008 component will assist teachers in implementation and development of curriculum materials related to the Summer 2008 activities and includes learning community meetings, online discussions groups, and classroom visits. Armstrong Atlantic State UniversityGrade Eight Physical Science Improvement Dr. Michael Mahan This project will be a graduate level course with sustained in-class follow-up with teacher participants. The new GPS for Grade Eighth Physical Science was implemented this year. Many teachers have struggled with the new Standards and new materials provided by the local school district. The project’s focus will be an intensive two week course on Physical Science Instruction using technology and methods of Inquiry and Discovery. The follow-up will be during the Fall and Spring semesters in the teacher-participants' classrooms. All Grade Eight classrooms were provided materials to teach Physical Science using the FOSS (Fully Operational Science System) system. However, many teachers were hesitant to use the kits and many were unsure of how and when to use the kits. Training will be provided to address this perceived need. Augusta State UniversityAugusta State University's Mountains to Sea Aquatic Ecosystem Program
This program is designed to expose teachers to the diversity of life in Georgia's aquatic ecosystems from the mountains to the waters around St. Catherines Island. They will learn how landscape and land management affect the flow pathways and chemistry of water and the dependant aquatic organisms. Fourteen teachers will travel and sample in several river basins within Georgia's major eco-regions. They will learn how their personal actions can impact coastal organisms and examine many of these species on a Georgia Coastal Resources Division trawler. Participants will be certified to teach activities from Project Wet and Project Learning Tree, collect data for Georgia's Adopt-A-Stream Program, and use these tools to support teaching strategies mandated by the Georgia Performance Standards. In order to further integrate this material into existing curricula, the project directors and activity certified student volunteers (from their respective institutions) will meet with participants to share lesson plans and visit their classrooms to work with students. Columbus State UniversitySupporting the Standards with Just-In-Time Delivery
Supporting the Standards through Just-In-Time Delivery, provides opportunities for secondary teachers to deepen their knowledge of algebra, geometry, and data analysis and probability--areas with major emphasis in Mathematics 1. At a week-long summer workshop, participants will explore Mathematics 1 tasks in depth, develop an understanding of the role the process standards play, and develop their abilities to use alternative assessment. A group of teacher leaders will participate in a series of just-in-time content sessions to review content in each mathematics 1 unit prior to teaching it. They will identify additional tasks to support the needs of diverse learners and will share information with other Mathematics 1 teachers at their schools. Ongoing support and follow-up will be provided to teachers by project staff during the year. Teachers may earn 3 PLUs for participation in each phase of the project. Graduate course credit is available for the summer workshop. Columbus State UniversityProcess Standards Open the Door
Through Process Standards Open the Door, the Columbus Regional Mathematics Collaborative will provide ongoing professional development to elementary teachers designed to improve their abilities to effectively implement the content and process standards from the Georgia Performance Standards in mathematics. Objectives of the project are to deepen teachers' knowledge in algebra, geometry, and data analysis and probability; to promote the use of the process standards as integral parts of instruction; and develop teachers' abilities to assess student learning using alternate forms of assessment. There are three phases of the project: a week-long summer workshop, ongoing follow-up and support during the school year, and in-depth study of student work by faculties at three elementary schools. Teachers may earn 3 PLUs for participation in the workshop and 2 PLUs for participation in either phase of the follow-up. Graduate course credit is available for participation in the workshop. Columbus State UniversityDeveloping Inquiry Teaching Strategies and Labs to Improve Student Learning of Chemistry and Physical Science in Middle and High Schools Dr. Anil Banerjee The major goal of this project is professional development of science teachers on inquiry teaching to effectively teach the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) in chemistry and physical science and improve student learning. The project is planned in two phases with 12 middle and high school science teachers from 6 schools. In the first phase of the project, a resource book on inquiry labs and teaching will be developed in two 5 PLU workshops. In the second phase, the effect of inquiry teaching on student learning will be studied using a control (text book class)-experimental (inquiry class) group design to be implemented by project teachers for one full academic year. The teachers will attend two additional 5 PLU workshops during 2008-2009. Two assessment instruments will be used: a content test related to the GPS and “ Views on Scientific Inquiry”. The same pre and post tests will be administered in control and experiemental classes in fall 2008 and spring 2009 to assess student learning and the data will be analyzed statistically. Columbus State UniversityModeling Workshop in Physical Science
Modeling, a nationally recognized science teaching strategy (http://modeling.asu.edu), will help middle school physical science teachers extend their content knowledge about energy, waves, light, and sound. Modeling objectives dovetail well with the GPS Characteristics of Science and include having students develop scientific models in authentic practices of science. We propose offering a two week 5 PLU workshop, with extensive virtual and live contact for the year after the workshop takes place. Darton CollegeAccess American History
While teaching America history is always a priority,the timing of the "Access American History" project is particularly significant. The State of Georgia has recently renewed its commitment to quality teaching of American History, as evidenced by the new Georgia History Standards. These standards, which require the teaching of American History as a separate subject, are being implemented in high schools during the 2007-2008 academic year and in elementary schools during 2007-2008 academic year.and in elementary schools knowledge. Many teachers in the state have limited history content knowledge. This program targets teachers of the relevant grades and is specifically formulated to provide online content workshops that correspond to the Georgia Performance Standards. Each of three content units has an associated field trip to a historic site in Georgia. Research-based pedagogy is included in the content and modeled in the workshops. The content workshop, field trips, and the follow-up workshop combine to provide10 PLUs. Gainesville State CollegeScience of the Georgia Barrier Islands Dr. Andrew Thomas This special project will provide a hands-on learning experience for fifth grade teachers on the science of the Georgia Coastal Barrier Islands. It will include a four day trip to Ossabaw Island led by Gainesville State College faculty from the fields of geology and geography, biology, and chemistry. After the trip, the teachers will be assisted in developing lesson plans for use with their classes. The curriculum will focus on the overall natural setting including the ecology and geology of the Barrier Islands, along with the cultures and development of technology by the inhabitants over the past several hundred years. Specific attention will be paid to the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) as they pertain to landforms of Georgia, geological processes, the role of technology in controlling these processes, and the classification and interaction among the native living organisms. The special project will be worth 5 PLUs. Enrollment will be held at a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 participants. Georgia Institute of TechnologyA Workshop for Teachers: Implementing the New High School Earth Systems Course
The proposed workshop will provide an intensive professional learning experience for Georgia high school teachers to prepare them to teach Earth Systems. The Earth Systems course is one of seven core science courses offered in Georgia high schools. One barrier to effectual realization of this course is the low number of Georgia high school teachers adequately trained in earth science. To help remedy this, the Georgia Tech School of Earth and Atmospheric Science, Georgia Tech's Center for Education Integration Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC), and two school systems (DeKalb and Fulton) have come together in a partnership to provide high school teachers with a two week workshop in earth science, with sustained school year contact. The workshop will incorporate field trips, laboratory exercises and lectures to help teachers gain the content knowledge necessary to successfully implement the new Earth Systems high school course. Georgia Institute of Technology--CEISMCMaterials Camp for High School Teachers of Science and Mathematics
During the summer of 2008, the Georgia Institute of Technology Materials Science and Engineering Department and the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC) and Metropolitan RESA are teaming with the local chapter of ASM and several Georgia school districts to offer a one week "Materials Camp" for 30 high school teachers. ASM International is the world's leading society for materials information with the ASM Materials Education Foundation providing for the advancement of scientific and engineering knowledge through its support of education and coordinating material camps for students and teachers nationwide since 2002. The materials camp will include curriculum developed and instruction led by master teachers trained by ASM and taught in a content rich, hands-on format to provide teachers with concrete examples of materials chemistry and engineering and their applications to the physical science and mathematics. Georgia Southern UniversityWildlife in Science Education (WINS) Dr. Krista Weatherford Wildlife in Science Education (WINS) will provide professional development to science teachers and their administrators that will deepen content knowledge through real-world experiences addressing environmental science education needs in Georgia. The overall goal is to connect teachers, students, parents, and community members with inquiry-based, hands-on science experiences that use Georgia's abundant wildlife to spark interest in environmental content and science generally. Practicing science teachers in grades 3-5, 7, and 9-12 will gain content-rich, state curriculum-specific, professional development through workshops, focused learning groups, and breakout sessions with sustained contact throughout the 2008-2009 school year. These workshops, offering PLUs, rich supplemental instructional materials, and loan kits with modular, critical-thinking classroom investigations, aim to apply scientific skills and knowledge to real-world situations and to encourage collaboration among educators. A crucial advantage is that both content and supplemental resources provide teachers and students with hands-on experiences that are unique and relevant to Georgia. Georgia Southern UniversityImproving Teacher Quality through the St. Catherine’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program Dr. Kelly Vance Fourteen teachers will be selected to conserve threatened and endangered loggerhead sea turtles nesting on St. Catherine's. Students enroll in GSU GEOL 5740, undergo two, half-day pre-residency workshops in May, build a resource notebook on threatened and endangered sea turtles before fulfilling an eight-day total immersion conservation residency on St. Catherine's Island, then attend a follow-up visit in October. Students are trained in conservation techniques by demonstration and hands-on inquiry in nest reading, location and relocation of sea turtle eggs, nest conservation and management, and in documentation in notebooks and by photography. Critical thinking skills are honed as the interns practice field triage. Teacher-Interns collect shells, plants, insects, and study the geology and history of St. Catherine's Island. A follow-up course (GEOL 5741) is designed for teachers to develop content, experiences, and materials into an endangered species teaching unit directed at their specific classroom needs. http://www.scistp.org Georgia Southern UniversityStandards-Based Physical Science for High School Teachers
The goals of this workshop are to enhance current physical science content knowledge and to further develop appropriate teaching strategies among high school physical science teachers; therefore, the overall goal is the development of pedagogical content knowledge. Additionally, instruction on teaching strategies appropriate to targeted sub-groups will further enhance the ability of teachers to bring about high levels of student learning. Sustained contact by web-posted reflections of participants on a listserv will enhance the experience of teachers by providing a venue for reflection, trouble-shooting, and sharing experiences. Georgia Southern UniversityGPS Mathematics Grades 6-8
Support from the East Central PRISM region fostered a unique relationship between Bulloch County Schools, the Department of Mathematical Sciences, and the Department of Teaching and Learning at Georgia Southern University. This project seeks to build on the success of the current P-16 professional learning communities for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade mathematics teachers. Project goals include raising teacher content knowledge, enhancing instruction with technology and manipulatives, forming vertical learning communities, and enhancing current P-16 learning communities by including special education teachers. Proposed activities include a 5-day summer workshop developing the concepts of algebra, four follow-up training dates during the school year, and virtual learning community meetings. Georgia Southern UniversityUsing the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to Build Teacher Understanding of Sea Turtles & Rehabilitation
This project “Using the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to Build Teacher Understanding of Sea Turtles & Rehabilitation” links the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC), Georgia Southern University and teachers in area schools. The goal of this project is to involve teachers directly in research, preservation, and rehabilitation of sea turtles through the newly developed GSTC on Jekyll Island. Furthermore, by taking this knowledge back to their classroom and students, this project will impact these students, who will be making decisions in the future that will be critical to the sustained survival of this threatened species and the coastal environment. This grant provides an essential link between scientists at the GSTC, educators at Georgia Southern University and teachers within area school to promote science understanding and the scientific process. Georgia Southern University Botanical GardenASTERS: Adventures in Science, Teaching, Education and Resourceful Stewardship, The Teacher Training Program at Georgia Southern Botanical Gardens
This project seeks to continue the successful ASTERS (Adventures in Science, Teaching, Exploration, and Resourceful Stewardship) science education program developed by the Georgia Southern Botanical Garden (Division of Continuing Education and Public Service of Georgia Southern University), and the GSU Department of Biology for our seven-county PRISM region. ASTERS workshops provide training in botanical and ecological content as well as the use of GPS-oriented, grade specific units, K-5. For this grant, a professional botanist and environmental educators will: conduct one 2-PLU workshop for Grade K-2 teachers; conduct one 2-PLU workshop for Grade 3-5 teachers and provide ongoing teacher support in the form of classroom kits containing materials necessary to teach the units. In Part 2, we will provide sustained teacher contact through the "I Wonder" Inquiry project, bringing teachers and their classes to the Garden and using the visit to prompt an inquiry project of their own. An ASTERS Educator will assist teachers in the classroom in the design and implementation of the program, and teachers will share their work and receive evaluative feedback through a new blog. Georgia Southern University Botanical GardenUnder the Mistletoe: An Inquiry-Based, Web-Interfaced Collaborative Research Project in Ecology for Grades 6-12
This project seeks to continue the Under the Mistletoe project, a partnership of Georgia Southern University Biology Education and the Georgia Southern Botanical Garden, funded by PRISM since 2005. During a 1 PLU workshop, teachers are trained in biology technology and scientific process via an active study of mistletoe ecology. With the on-site help, teachers and their students will collect data at nearby research sites, contribute data electronically, and have access to data, its analysis, and collaborate teachers and classes across the state through a website and a blog. Teachers find Mistletoe a great help in meting Georgia Performance Standards and developing knowledge of and comfort with the scientific process. They develop relationships with university biologists, educators, and each other, receive the technology they need to participate, and have hands-on help implementing the project. Georgia Southern University MuseumEarth Science You Can Handle Program
Earth Science You Can Handle will implement the second year of a three-year cycle of summer workshops for teachers in grades P-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Each workshop focuses on improving the teachers' content knowledge for teaching science, pedagogical approaches, and using Project SENSE for maximum benefit. The workshops are supported throughout the year by a strong kit-based program already in place (project SENSE). Teachers are introduced to Professional Learning Groups targeting content needs common in their school environments, design appropriate tasks to integrate scientific reasoning throughout the content, study “Best Practices” of instruction, and learn to use CRCT-focused assessment tools. Content areas within the GPS for their grade levels are stressed. Included as part of the pedagogical studies is an introduction and practice in brain-based learning. Various resources to help teachers understand the latest research and how to incorporate brain-based learning in the classrooms are used. Grades P-2 Workshop will be held June 9-13, 2008; Grades 3-5 workshop will be held June 16-20, 2008; Grades 6-8 workshop will be held June 23-27,2008. Georgia Southwestern State UniversityEarth Science Activities and Resources for Middle and Secondary Grades
A previous Teacher Quality grant, Earth Science Activities and Resources that Address National and State Performance Standards (Weiland 2006-07), funded the development and delivery of a combination of earth science field experiences and instructional materials (soil, rock and fossil kits) to selected sixth grade earth science teachers. This project will construct and distribute classroom sets of these materials to a larger statewide group of teachers by partnering with coordinators of resource centers across Georgia. These 'regional teams' will also participate in a three-day training workshop and a six-day 'Geology of Georgia' field trip from Cumberland Island to Cloudland Canyon during June of 2008. Contingent on funding, additional earth science activities and materials will also be developed and disbursed for the new secondary-level Earth Systems course during a second workshop in May of 2009. Georgia Southwestern State UniversityEnvironmental Education Research Acadmey
Kennesaw State UniversityImplementing the Georgia Performance Standards: Embracing the Vision (Math I/II)
This project seeks to support the North Metro Mathematics Collaborative [NM2C] in helping Math I and Math II teachers from four metro-Atlanta school districts to: (a) become knowledgeable of the requirements and resources of the GPS; (b) become knowledgeable about teaching strategies that support the development of students' conceptual understanding of mathematics and be able to develop and use lessons that implement these strategies; (c) develop an in depth understanding of the mathematics they will be teaching; and (d) create a reflective environment for teachers to engage in collaborative planning. Since 1992 NM2C has work to develop mathematics teachers with expertise to teach for conceptual understanding that enables their students to meet the Georgia Performance Standards. Kennesaw State UniversityPartnership for Reform in Chemistry Teaching
A partnership between Kennesaw State University (KSU) and several local school districts (Cobb, Paulding, Bartow) has been formed to improve the teaching and learning of high school chemistry. The partnerhsip project consists of a forty hour summer workshop aimed at increasing the content and reform-based pedagogical knowledge of the teacher participants and an academic year follow-up to encourage and support the expected changes in teaching practice. The partnership reflects a true collaboration between higher education and K-12, with all parties contributing to the success of the others. KSU will contribute content and pedagogical expertise and the participants will agree to serve as mentors for KSU's undergraduate chemistry education students during their field experiences. Since the relationship between KSU and its K-12 partners will continue past the period of the project, its impact is expected to be long-term, far-reaching, and increasingly effective at improving the teaching and learning of chemistry in this region and statewide. Kennesaw State UniversityBlog2Learn 3.0: Enhancing Language Arts Teaching and Learning Through a Program of Web-based (Media) Literacy Instruction
This project is a continuing partnership between Cobb County and Marietta City Schools and Kennesaw State University's Bagwell College of Education, Department of University Studies and the Department of Communication. The partnership seeks to improve the quality of language arts instruction through professional development for elementary and middle school teachers in up-to-date, weblog-based pedagogical strategies that will enhance students' reading, writing, critical thinking, and technology skills. The continuation of our project remains committed to the following objective: to augment the quality of language arts instruction, providing a space where students can read, write, and learn in a forum that addresses Georgia Performance Standards for writing in various genres, conducting basic research, and using critical thinking skills to analyze written content and grammatical conventions. Macon State CollegeTeachers Experiencing Technology Integration for Technical Communication (TEXT*IT!)
The two summer TEXT*IT! workshops will enhance the technical writing competencies for 40 middle and high school English and Social Studies teachers in order to address implementing the ELA technical writing requirement of the Georgia Performance Standards and employ the listening/speaking/viewing standards. Participants will practice correct design, create layout for print media, develop dynamic slideshow proposals, and interactive webpages, and use digital cameras and editing software to produce digital movies. Social Studies teachers will create digital projects as models for students competing in History Day. At the post workshop symposia during Fall 2008 and Spring 2009, teachers will share their digital stories and student projects. Participants will establish active professional learning communities to co-develop unit plans for teaching technical writing with authentic tasks which promote the use of appropriate technology tools to enhance teaching and learning for all students. These 5-PLU workshops will be held in June and July of 2008. Mercer UniversityDifferentiation and the Georgia Performance Standards in Mathematics
The goal of this 5 PLU workshop is to provide middle and high school mathematics teachers in Coffee and Atkinson Counties with learning strategies and technological expertise that will enable them to help students with myriad abilities and levels of mastery meet the high expectations of the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). In particular, teachers will learn how to use a constructivist approach to student learning to foster achievement, and will learn to use the Geometer's Sketchpad software to facilitate student exploration and understanding of geometry and algebra. The teachers will create supplementary materials for both struggling students and those needing further challenges, and will write lessons that incorporate those materials. The workshop will consist of a summer session (July 7-11) and two half-day sessions (October 17 and January 5), between which the teachers will implement, critique and revise their lesson plans and supplementary materials. Mercer UniversityMathematics Immersion for Elementary and Middle Grade Teachers
The primary goal of this 5 PLU workshop is for elementary and middle grade math teachers from Coffee and Atkinson Counties to increase their mathematical knowledge and understanding so that they can more effectively teach the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). Complementary goals are for the teachers to become more comfortable guiding open-ended inquiry and to learn new ways to help students with varying learning styles master foundational mathematics. Teachers will collaborate vertically across grade levels on mathematical tasks from the GPS that emphasize geometry and connections with algebra, and then within grade levels to prepare lessons. Whole-group discussions will tackle both pedagogical issues and mathematical concepts. The workshop will consist of a summer session (June 23-27),which will be followed by reflection and collaboration during the school year and two half-day sessions (October 17, 2008 and January 5, 2009). Savannah State University
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Dr. Joe Richardson |
Dr. Kenneth Sajwan Savannah State University P O Box 20600 Savannah, GA 31404 sajwank@savstate.edu Telephone--912.356.2315 Fax--912.356.2315 |
A three hour graduate course in interdisciplinary marine field studies was designed to meet needs and requests for education and training experiences for teachers. Because ecological concepts are applicable to any ecosystem, and because marine science is multi-disciplined, this course will serve needs of teachers within and outside the coastal area. A schedule accommodating commuting teachers from throughout the state was developed from input and suggestions from teachers state-wide. The course is field-work intensive and includes inshore/coastal studies along Georgia barrier islands and at the Gerace Research Center of the College of the Bahamas on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. Participants are required to develop curriculum-based lesson plans and instructional units based on information, specimens, data and samples collected during the course. The Savannah/Chatham Board of Education and Calvary Day School will provide diving and safety equipment plus additional services, and the teacher participants will provide $520 for charter costs, immigration and custom fees for the US and Bahamas.
State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Garden Earth Naturalists: Encouraging Scientific Study through After-School Ecology Clubs
Ms. Anne Shenk Georgia Botanical Gardens 2450 S. Milledge Avenue Athens, GA 30602 ashenk@uga.edu Telephone--706-542-6258 Fax--706-542-3826 |
Ms. Carol Hoffman University of Georgia Georgia Museum of Natural History Athens, GA 30602 hoffman@uga.edu Telephone--706-542-2280 Fax--706-542-3920 |
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Georgia Museum of Natural History, Georgia 4-H, and Georgia Partnership in Science and Math (PRISM), have formed partnerships with Georgia public schools to implement active learning about natural systems and promote community involvement through after-school ecology clubs. Garden Earth Naturalists (GEN) encourages youth, grades 3-5 to study, explore and enhance natural habitats on their school sites and in their surrounding communities. The conceptual framework of GEN helps children understand the earth's ecosystems, value the services provided by these ecosystems, and take positive actions through stewardship and service learning projects to protect these ecosystems. A workshop, with sustained contact, will train and support teachers and paraprofessionals to implement GEN science clubs at schools. The workshop will be offered at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, with follow-up at the participating schools. Participating teachers will receive 3 PLUs.
University of Georgia Marine Education Center and Aquarium (MECA)
COASTLINEs 2008: Current Topics in Ocean Health and Fisheries (Coastal Opportunities for All Science Teachers: Literature Integrated with New Experiences)
Dr. Norm Thomson University of Georgia College of Education Math and Science Ed. Athens, GA 30602 nthomson@uga.edu Telephone--706.542.4645 Fax—706..542.1212 |
Mr. Bob Williams University of Georgia Marine Extension Service 30 Ocean Science Circle Savannah, GA 31411 bobwms@uga.edu Telephone--912.598.2338 Fax--912.598.2302 |
COASTLINEs 2008 will provide participating classroom teachers with opportunities to work alongside scientists and resource managers to study coastal ecosystems and fisheries and human impact on these systems. Popular science literature will be used as a springboard to initiate examination of issues, continuing a program of study that began in 1999 at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium (MECA). The focus of the workshop will be on estuarine-dependent fisheries (>70% of all fisheries) and the complex relationships associated with economic, environmental, conservation, and management issues. Workshop participants will have the option of earning ten Professional Learning Units (PLUs) or six graduate credit hours through the University of Georgia.
See the Marine Extension web address http://www.marex.uga.edu/ for more information and to download an application.
University of Georgia
Contextual Teaching and Learning of Life Science for Elementary School Teachers
Dr. Shawn Glynn
University of Georgia
329 Aderhold Hall
Athens, GA 30602
sglynn@uga.edu
Telephone--706.542.4249
Fax--706.542.4240
The Contextual Teaching and Learning of Life Science for Elementary School Teachers project develops teachers' life-science knowledge about plants, animals and ecology, with particular emphasis on water resources. In addition, teachers master a research-based instructional approach, Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL), which motivates students to connect science knowledge and skills to real-world situations, particularly those of future careers. CTL integrates into one approach a set of proven strategies: inquiry learning, problem-based learning, cooperative learning, project and service-based learning and authentic assessment. The teachers participate in a summer PLU workshop involving a series of integrated field trips to local sites such as the UGA Microbiology Labs, UGA Institute of Ecology, the UGA School of Forestry Whitehall forest, the State Botanical Garden, and the Clarke County Sandy Creek Nature Center where the teachers receive training, curriculum materials, and national certification in Project WET: Water Education for Teachers. The teachers receive additional training, materials, and support during 2008-09 school year through sustained contact to facilitate implementation in their classrooms. The completion date for all activities is April 30, 2009.
University of Georgia
"Building Up Mathematics"--Helping Grades K-5 Teachers in Oglethorpe County Elementary Schools to Develop Children's Mathematical Thinking within Georgia Performance Standards
Dr. Larry Hatfield
University of Georgia
105 Aderhold Hall
Athens, GA 30602
lhatfiel@uga.edu
Telephone--706-542-4550
Fax--706-542-4551
The effective implementation of the GPS Mathematics requires most practicing elementary teachers to strengthen their content knowledge, form new understandings of children's mathematics thinking and development, and transform their approaches to teaching. The higher expectations for both content and process-oriented knowledge of students present significant challenges for elementary teachers. The project goals and activities focus on helping all Oglethorpe County grades K-5 teachers improve their teaching of numbers and operations using powerful representations (including use of manipulative aids and appropriate technology) that promote deep conceptual understanding and problem solving by their students. Through weekly follow-up visits to support participants via demonstration lessons with their students, and in grade-level team discussions, every elementary teacher in the system will be helped to rethink their mathematics teaching to mirror the GPS framework and evaluation. Parental involvement in their child's mathematical growth will be fostered in a variety of "Home Math" outreach activities.
University of Georgia
Standards-Based Professional Learning
Dr. Dorothy White University of Georgia 105 Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602 dywhite@uga.edu Telephone--706.542.4194 Fax--706.542.4551 |
Ms. Jodi Weber Colbert Elementary School 255 Colbert School Road Colbert, GA 30628 jweber@madison.k12.ga.us Telephone--706.788.2341 Fax--706.788.3619 |
Ms. Christine Register Colbert Elementary School 255 Colbert School Road Colbert, GA 30628 cregister@madison.k12.ga.us Telephone--706.788.2341 Fax--706.788.3619 |
Ms.Patricia Huberty University of Georgia 105 Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602 pattihuberty@charter.net Telephone--706-542-4194 Fax--706-542-4551 |
This project will improve student achievement in mathematics by enhancing the classroom practices of all mathematics teachers at Colbert Elementary School (CES) to enable them to meet the learning needs of their students, the demands of the new Georgia Performance Standards (GPS), the adoption of a standards-based math series (adopted spring 2007), and the use of assessment for learning. To meet these goals, we propose to conduct intensive, site-based, daily professional learning at CES during the 2008-2009 school year, with the focus on creating standards-based instructional classrooms at each grade level. Additionally, we will establish a team of math leaders who can continue to support the teachers in the school and district with their implementation of the GPS.
University of Georgia
Improving Core Content for Secondary English Learners
Dr. Paul Matthews University of Georgia 315A Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602 pmatthew@uga.edu Telephone--706.542.3368 Fax--706.542.8207 |
Dr. Pedro Portes University of Georgia 316 Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602 portes@uga.edu Telephone--706.583.5561 Fax--706.583.8207 |
All Georgia's students must demonstrate mastery of grade appropriate content--a challenge given the increasing numbers of English learning students in middle and high school classrooms. Teacher may be proficient in subject area knowledge, yet not know how to effectively teach their subject to students learning English. Twenty-four middle and high school content area teachers, selected statewide, will join separately funded teams to attend a summer workshop and receive extensive yearlong follow-up, including monthly meetings and two one-day workshops, to learn to make academic content more accessible. Teachers will learn how to "shelter" instruction in their classrooms via a research-based model, including observation, implementation and reflection, with ongoing lesson study, small group discussion, and site visits by program staff, mediated by distance-learning technology, ending May 2009. Research-based observational rating tools, student outcome data, and pre-post questionnaires will assess project impact and fidelity, completed by December 2009. (5 PLUs for program participation and implementation)
University of Georgia
Creating Meaningful Contexts for Revitalizing Rural Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning
Dr. Deborah Tippins University of Georgia 212 Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602 dtippins@uga.edu Telephone--706.542.1763 Fax--706.542.1212 |
Dr. Amy Parks University of Georgia 427 Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602 amyparks@uga.edu Telephone--706.542.4323 Fax--706.542.4277 |
"Creating Meaningful Contexts for Revitalizing Rural Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning" continues a collaboration between Taliaferro County School and science educators, math educators and scientists at the University of Georgia. Taliaferro County School is a rural, PreK-12 public school which follows a year-round balanced calendar. In this context, a site-based, embedded model of professional development will be used to enhance teachers' mathematics and science teaching and learning. The project provides opportunities for all teachers at the school to develop appropriate mathematics and science content and pedagogy, as they engage with the Georgia Performance Standards through a "Mathematics and Science Workshop", co-teaching and lesson study, community science nights and both local and state-of-the-art science/mathematics field trips. The goals of the project are for teachers to : 1) develop skill in problem posing and problem solving, interpreting student thinking, and assessing student work in mathematics; 2) draw on the community as a source of mathematics problems for teachers to pose to students, and as a nexus for science inquiry; 3) become current in content and appropriate strategies for teaching life science and chemistry in an inquiry manner; 4) align pre-service teacher education at the University of Georgia with Taliaferro County School and community, and 5) explore methods that enable teachers to monitor the progress of students in mathematics and science and determine the effectiveness of instructional plans.
University of Georgia
Building a Shared Vision of Standards-Based Mathematics Teaching: Franklin County K-5
Dr. Chandra Orrill University of Georgia 611 Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602 corrill@uga.edu Telephone--706.583.0879 Fax--706.542.4321 |
Dr. Dorothy White University of Georgia 105 Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602 dywhite@uga.edu Telephone--706.542.4096 Fax--706.542.4551 |
The Building a Shared Vision of Standards-Based Mathematics Teaching: Franklin County K-5 project seeks to support one teacher at each grade level (K-5) in each of the four Franklin County elementary schools in further learning about standards-based teaching. To this end, we will engage with mathematics case study videos, mathematics tasks, and one-on-one mentoring both in a summer workshop and throughout the academic year. The project goals include developing model classrooms at each school, increasing teacher content knowledge, and increasing teacher capacity to teach in standards-based ways. This project will start in mid-July 2008 and end in June 2009.
University of Georgia
Building a Shared Vision of Standards-Based Mathematics Teaching: Franklin County Middle & High School
Dr. Chandra Orrill
University of Georgia
611 Aderhold Hall
Athens, GA 30602
corrill@uga.edu
Telephone--706.583.0879
Fax--706.542.4321
The Building a Shared Vision of Standards-Based Mathematics Teaching: Franklin County Middle and High School project seeks to support all of the middle school and high school teachers in Franklin County in developing a better sense of what standards-based mathematics classrooms can be. To this end, we will engage with mathematics case study videos, mathematics tasks, and small-group mentoring both in a summer workshop and throughout the year. Goals include building a shared vision of standards-based mathematics, providing opportunities for teachers to work with mathematical tasks, and support teachers in developing stronger instructional units that are GPS aligned. The project will begin in mid-July 2008 and end in June 2009.
University of Georgia
Teaching Science Teachers about Masters of Disaster
Dr. Alan Stewart University of Georgia 402 Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602 aeswx@uga.edu Telephone—706.542.1263 Fax—706.542.4130 |
Dr. Steve Oliver University of Georgia 212 Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602 soliver@uga.edu Telephone--706.542.41194 Fax--706.542.1212 |
The project directors and collaborating partners will conduct a five-day (5 PLU) workshop in June 2008 for 30 science teachers selected statewide to train them in the American Red Cross Masters of Disaster (MoD) curriculum, a professionally designed set of learning materials that meets Georgia Performance Standards for science. After conducting a needs assessment we observed: 1. Teachers estimated 57% of students were not prepared to respond safely to dangerous weather or other natural hazards, 2. Teachers indicated it was important to train students in weather and natural hazard safety, 3. Teachers were dissatisfied with current weather safety curricula, and 4. Teachers were largely unaware with the MoD curriculum. To address this need, the project intends to: 1. Supply science teachers with MoD curriculum kits, 2. Educate teachers about the importance and value of providing education in weather safety and natural hazards, 3. Teach them how to use the materials and to deliver the curriculum, and 4. Build teachers' content, skills and efficacy in disseminating the MoD curriculum to their colleagues so that more students can benefit from it.
University of Georgia
Liking Lichens, Applying Knowledge of Lichen Ecology to Georgia’s Performance Standards
Dr. Bob Hill
University of Georgia
850 College Station Road
Athens, GA 30602
bobhill@uga.edu
Telephone--706.542.4016
Fax—706.542.4024
For four years (2004-2008) CoPIs have conducted teacher quality improvement workshops on lichens, funded by the Improving Teacher Quality State Grant. As a result, 80 educators and their students have built a Georgia Lichen Database (www.georgialichens.org) of more than 3000 collections that is accessed online for classroom use. Based on post-workshop assessments, this has been highly successful and has vastly improving educators’ and students’ knowledge. In an effort to make tighter linkage to the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) two curriculum specialists together with the CoPIs, designed seven classroom activities (kindergarten, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 8th, and two high schools) that utilize lichens and the Georgia Lichen Database to produce measurable improvements in student outcomes. The program will be offered for two years, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. It will accomplish the following: 1) provided instructions for using the seven standards-based classroom activities with a cohort of 20 teachers each year, across elementary, middle and secondary levels, and 2) continue to build the Georgia Lichen Database for classroom use. In each year there will be a four day (Sunday – Wednesday) residential workshop in July, and two subsequently sustained contacts Saturdays, (one each in using pre-and post-testing, and focus groups. Successful Participants will earn 5 PLUs. Individual educators can participate one year only.
University of Georgia - NESPAL
GIFT--Georgia Intern-Fellowships for Teachers
Dr. Peggy Ozias-Akins University of Georgia--NESPAL P O Box 748 Tifton, GA 31793 pozias@uga.edu Telephone--229.386.7274 Fax--229.386.7371 |
Ms. Susan Reinhardt University of Georgia--NESPAL P O Box 748 Tifton, GA 31793 slr@uga.edu Telephone--229.386.3050 Fax--229.386.7371 |
Our society is changing at a pace unparalleled in human history. As educators, teachers are often bound to the classroom unable to experience first-hand the effects and applications of new technology and innovative ideas. GIFT offers teachers the opportunity for exciting summer work experiences in state of the art laboratories rich in applications of mathematics, science, and technology. Teachers experience new technologies first hand, work on the leading edge of research, applied science, mathematics, and computing, are immersed in "real world" inquiry, problem-solving, and reasoning. Through GIFT, Georgia teachers develop leadership skills, and take new science/math perspectives, knowledge, and strategies back to their classrooms and Georgia students.
University of Georgia - NESPAL
The Science & Technology in Two Georgia Universities
Dr. Jason Peake University of Georgia--NESPAL P O Box 748 Tifton, GA 31793 jpeake@uga.edu Telephone--229.386.3085 Fax--229.386.7371 |
Ms. Susan Reinhardt University of Georgia--NESPAL P O Box 748 Tifton, GA 31793 slr@uga.edu Telephone--229.386.3050 Fax--229.386.7371 |
Join us as we explore the Science and Technology found in two of Georgia’s premier research universities—the University of Georgia and the Georgia Institute of Technology. We will also visit Innovation Centers associated with each of these universities. As educators, teachers are often bound to the classroom, unable to experience first-hand the effects and applications of new technology and innovative ideas. Our goal is to familiarize you with what is happening in Georgia’s universities and to acquaint you with 21st century jobs that are incubating right now. We plan to return you to the classroom with a greater appreciation of the importance of science and technology and a better understanding of the career opportunities available in Georgia in these fields.
University of Georgia - NESPAL
Addressing Energy Concepts in the Georgia Performance Standards
Dr. Craig Kvien University of Georgia--NESPAL P O Box 748 Tifton, GA 31793 kvien@uga.edu Telephone--229.386.7274 Fax--229.386.7371 |
Ms. Bette Baldwin University of Georgia--NESPAL P O Box 748 Tifton, GA 31793 bbaldwin@uga.edu Telephone--229.386.3050 Fax--229.386.7371 |
Mr. Brad Buchanan University of Georgia--NESPAL P O Box 748 Tifton, GA 31793 bbuchana@uga.edu Telephone—229.386.7253 Fax—229.386.7371 |
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Energy, in both its basic forms (electrical, radiant, mechanical, chemical) and also supplemented by intriguing renewable technologies (solar panels, wind turbines, hydrogen fuel cells, biofuels), is addressed in K-5 Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). A two-day summer workshop (given both in North and South Georgia) will focus on building understanding of GPS-related energy content (resources and conversions) and inquiry activities to help teachers improve their teaching practices and positively impact student learning. Telephone and e=mail follow-up contacts, in addition to loans of teaching materials, will support teachers’ development, delivery, and evaluation of lessons utilizing enhanced energy content and inquiry. Required redelivery at the teacher’s home school will enhance peer teachers’ content knowledge and activity repertoire. One PLU credit will be awarded for workshop participation plus follow-up experiences to be finished by December 2008. The workshop/follow-up is planned for fifteen teachers at each of the two locations.
University of West Georgia
University of West Georgia Learning Festival 08 –Science
Dr. Rosalind Duplechain University of West Georgia 1601 Maple Street Carrollton, GA 30118 rduplech@westga.edu Telephone--678-839-6067 Fax--678-839-6063 |
Dr. Hema Ramanathan University of West Georgia 1601 Maple Street Carrollton, GA 30118 Telephone--678-839-6058 Fax--678-839-6063 |
Learning Festival 2008 (LF08), a conference-style program, with multiple concurrent events, will be held on campus of the University of West Georgia June 2-6, 2008, to strengthen and deepen the content and pedagogical knowledge of P-12 teachers, as well as increase their use of instructional technology. Three strands will cover the content area of Science: Science Content Pedagogy, Science and Technology, and Science and Health. University of West Georgia faculty, and national, regional and local veteran educators will address over 100 teaching and learning topics.
University of West Georgia
High School Chemistry Laboratory: A Contextual and Inquiry-Based Teaching Approach
Dr. Sharmistha Basu-Dutt University of West Georgia Department of Chemistry 1601 Maple St. Carrollton, GA 30118 sbdutt@westga.edu Telephone--678-839-6018 Fax--678-839-6551 |
Dr. Gail Marshall University of West Georgia Curriculum and Instruction 1601 Maple St. Carrollton, GA 30118 gmarshall@westga.edu Telephone--678-839-6081 Fax--770-214-2595 |
This project will offer a professional development program for teachers who will team together to develop a high school chemistry curriculum that will focus on students "doing science, not viewing science" by showing them "the relationship between science, our environment, and our everyday world." By participating in this workshop, teachers will: (1) Learn about relevant aspects of learning theory that apply to teaching chemistry, (2) Practice a series of inquiry investigations that align with the chemistry GPS, (3) Design a learning environment using students' social, cultural, physical and psychological experiences to simulate the inter-disciplinary character of STEM careers and the relevance of chemistry in the real world, (4) Learn to assess student learning via activities that are inquiry-based, hands-on and student-centered, (5) Update content knowledge by using chemical literature and peer networking.
University of West Georgia
Experiences in Inquiry for K-2nd Grade Elementary Teachers
Dr. Sharmistha Basu-Dutt University of West Georgia Department of Chemistry 1601 Maple St. Carrollton, GA 30118 sbdutt@westga.edu Telephone--678-839-6018 Fax--678-839-6551 |
Dr. Gail Marshall University of West Georgia Curriculum and Instruction 1601 Maple St. Carrollton, GA 30118 gmarshall@westga.edu Telephone--678-839-6081 Fax--770-214-2595 |
This professional development workshop, targeting K-2 elementary teachers, will provide properly conceived inquiry experiences in science teaching and learning using the joint expertise of faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences as well as the College of Education at the University of West Georgia. Specific goals of the workshop include: (1) Understanding the features of inquiry teaching and learning, (2) Updating science content knowledge through inquiry investigations aligned with the K-2 Science GPS, (3) Developing necessary skills (asking questions, choosing resources, analyzing data and assessing outcomes) and positive attitudes to successfully implement inquiry in teaching, (4) Continuing communications with peers and leaders via follow-up meetings and a final presentation, and (5) Networking with peers and professionals by attending the 2009 Georgia Science Teacher Association conference.
University of West Georgia
GPS Foundations for Teachers of Physical Science (TOPS)
Dr. Bob Powell University of West Georgia Department of Physics Carrollton, GA 30118 bpowell@westga.edu Telephone--678.839.4095 Fax—678.839.4088 |
Mr. David Curtis Callaway High School 221 Whitfield Road Hogansville, GA 30230 curtisd@troup.org Telephone--706.845.2070 Fax-- |
The University of West Georgia will offer in June 2008 a workshop for twenty-four middle school teachers of physical science. Since many teachers are teaching physical science with minimal background or experience, the workshop will emphasize the content of the Georgia Performance Standards and related hands-on activities that can be used for demonstrations or inquiry or laboratory activities. The summer session will be continued with a one-day follow-up in the late fall or winter. In this session, the participants will share their successes in applying the knowledge and techniques from the summer and will have opportunities to clarify information or techniques. Five PLUs may be earned by completing the workshop and the follow-up session. Sustained contact will also be provided via a listserv until the project ends on June 1, 2 009. The workshop targets teachers in Troup, Heard, Carroll, Haralson, and Meriwether Counties.
Valdosta State University
ESOL Endorsement for P-12 Teachers with Field Experience in Guadalajara, Mexico
Dr. Victoria Soady
Valdosta State University
1500 N Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA 31698
vsoady@valdosta.edu
Telephone--229.333.7371
Fax--229.333.7416
This project, fist successfully conducted in 2007, provides P-12 teachers the opportunity to complete six hours of coursework toward the add-on endorsement in ESOL to prepare them to work with students from linguistically diverse backgrounds. Coursework will be offered at Valdosta State University and in Guadalajara, Mexico, where students will be immersed in Mexican culture, take courses, and complete 80 hours of field experience within Mexican schools and community centers. Teachers will become current in appropriate strategies for teaching their subjects to linguistically diverse students in the course, ESOL 4030/6030 Methods and Materials for Teaching ESOL, as they learn to design, adapt and assess instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs). In ESOL 4010/6010, Elements of Linguistics, teachers will learn about language systems, the relationship between language and power, and strategies for comparing and contrasting English with the languages of students in regional classrooms. Full discussions of state policy related to working with ESOL students will be included in these classes.
Valdosta State University
Expository and Persuasive Writing Across the Curriculum
Dr. Ann Marie Smith
Valdosta State University
1500 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA 31698
annmsmith@valdosta.edu
Telephone--229.247.4598
Fax--229.333.5963
This project involves a collaboration between Valdosta City Schools and Valdosta State University. The project consists of a forty hour summer workshop aimed at increasing teachers' knowledge of instructional practices for the teaching of expository and persuasive writing across content areas. During the 2008-2009 academic year, follow-up activities will include instruction from the middle school literacy coach and peer teachers. The goal is to improve students' writing skills across content areas and improve scores on the Georgia state writing exam.
Valdosta State University
Inquiry Physical Science Project
Dr. Brian Gerber Valdosta State University 1500 N Patterson St. Valdosta, GA 31698 blgerber@valdosta.edu Telephone--229.333.5353 Fax--229.333.7167 |
Dr. Heather Brasell Valdosta State University 1500 N Patterson Street Valdosta, GA 31698 hbrasell@valdosta.edu Telephone--229.333.5926 Fax--229.333.5963 |
The Dewar College of Education at Valdosta State University and the 11 school districts of the Coastal Plains RESA have worked closely to address goals related to school improvement, professional development, and improved student achievement. A result of this collaboration is the Inquiry Physical Science Project. Twenty, 8th grade science teachers will spend two weeks in an intensive summer institute at Valdosta State University with additional follow-up throughout the academic year. Content during the summer will focus on two of the five units outlined on the GA Department of Education website, Sports and Energy in Our Life. Teacher content acquisition will be measured using the physical science portion of the Diagnostic Teacher Assessments in Mathematics and Science instrument, a reliable and valid assessment specifically designed for teacher professional development programs.
Valdosta State University
Strengthening the Teaching of Evolution in South Georgia Middle and Secondary Schools
Dr. Leslie Jones Valdosta State University 1500 N. Patterson Street Valdosta, GA 31698 lesliesj@valdosta.edu Telephone--229.219.1337 Fax--229.245.6585 |
Ms. Marguerite McCartney
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One change in the new Georgia Performance Standards is the inclusion of evolution in 7th grade life science and high school biology. Since evolution was essentially ignored in the old Quality Core Curriculum, science teachers are currently expected to teach a subject that is widely misunderstood, not to mention socially controversial. Even teachers that are "highly qualified" in these subject areas may not have received adequate content background because evolution is such an comprehensive concept, literally serving as the theoretical foundation of biological science. In addition, teachers desperately need to be given ideas of how to address the creationist resistance that can be expected given the religious conservatism found in the State of Georgia. This project has been designed to strengthen teachers' conceptual understanding of evolution and model strategies for presenting the theory in ways that minimize religious controversy, so that Georgia students have the opportunity to accurately understand this important theory.
Valdosta State University
Physical, Biological and Chemical Sciences: Visualization and Hands-On Activities
Dr. Thomas Manning |
Dr. Tolulope Salami |
This project will include a ten day workshop for middle and high school science teachers from South Georgia. It is based on successful experiences the Project Director has had with middle school and high school students that have been described in the peer reviewed literature. The project will emphasize hands-on activities that are both experimental and computational in nature. The experimental component will focus on using inexpensive chemical analysis kits that will allow teachers to perform analysis such as pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate, sulfide, water hardness and water density on a number of samples, from well water to soil to various foods. The computational aspect will focus on instructing teachers how to incorporate a spreadsheet into some basic applications that can be used in classroom settings. The computational aspects will also teach faculty how to use a basic molecular modeling program called Spartan, that allows students to visualize structures important to science education at all levels. The software packet allows teachers to bring visual images of basic structures (i.e. water, ammonia, carboy dioxide), as well as more complicated structures (DNA, RNA, proteins) into their classrooms.
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