Our plan
The idea is to supply teachers, located (isolated) in rural portions of Utah, the equipment, ideas, excitement and knowledge needed to bring science into the K-6 classroom. Multiple studies show that science is avoided in the K-6 setting for multiple reasons. We are attacking these possible causes head-on--we're trying to change the World (at least in Southern Utah).
What we did
We first wrote a grant. We also garnered local support from businesses to help cover travel costs (our largest ongoing expense). We asked teachers what they wish they had, then we bought it. However, most teachers didn't know what they needed or even how to get started. So here is were it is going now: Problem #1: The in-service teachers need more science understanding, especially in the proper context. We obviously were not giving this to them in college and they weren't picking it up as teachers. Solution: We reorganized the college experience of pre-service elementary education majors to include participation in the Voyager program, spending three semesters in a lab devoted to helping current teachers teach science. By the end of the three semesters we hope the pre-service teachers will feel more comfortable in the classroom and more comfortable with science. Problem #2: The schools need equipment. We buy it, figure out how to use it in the classroom, devise lesson plans/activities and then go to the schools to show the teachers how to do it. Funding came from federal education grants and local business partnerships.
Our results
Pre-service teachers see how great teachers handle a classroom full of kids. They also learn college science classes in the context of, "How am I going to teach this to a fourth grader? (insert your grade of choice). In-service teachers see how science can be brought into the classroom, reducing their fear of a topic they are not strong in. They mentor pre-service teachers, imparting their wisdom. They also show fellow colleagues how to do the lessons, bolstering their confidence. They also have access to equipment that they would never have the opportunity to ever use to assist kids with science fair projects, demonstration or class activities. Overall: The teachers love it, they are beating down our doors for us to come. The pre-service teachers realize teaching is tougher than they thought at an earlier time in the college career and really take ALL of their classes with the proper frame of mind, viewing them not as "hoops" they have to jump through. It also forms a strong educational link K-College--which is how it should be. The teachers view professors as a resource and a colleague.
Add to the discussion
Your email address won't show up with your comment.