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Three Steps to Systemic Improvement in Science Education & Increased School Participation in Science Fairs Shop Talk May 13, 2009

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Three Steps to Systemic Improvement in Science Education & Increased School Participation in Science Fairs. Shop Talk May 13, 2009. Three Steps - Shop Talk Overview. What are the three steps? Inquiry First - Science Fairs Next! Come Explore a hands-on Inquiry Activity - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Three Steps to Systemic Improvement in Science Education & Increased School

Participation in Science Fairs

Shop TalkMay 13, 2009

Page 2: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Three Steps - Shop Talk Overview

• What are the three steps?

• Inquiry First - Science Fairs Next!

• Come Explore a hands-on Inquiry Activity

• What have we learned?

• How can I bring TSIP to my region?

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 3: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

What are the Three Steps?

• Step #1: Inquiry in the classroom

• Step #2: Guide student projects

• Step # 3: School Science Fair culture.

Inspiring Sustained Student Interest in STEM & Increasing School Participation in Fairs

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 4: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Inquiry First, Science Fairs Next!

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

MMSSEF 2007 ResultsPercentage of Entries and Percentage of Top 20 Winners for Each Region

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5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5 6

Region

Percent of Total Entries

Percent of Top 20 Winners

TSIP Pilot (Blueprints for Science) over 3 years:• 50% increase in district Science Fair student participation • 40% of the top 20 winners in statewide Science Fair (MS)• Greatest # of winning projects at statewide fair.

Total Entries vs. winners in top 20%

Page 5: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Step #1: Inquiry in the classroom• Teachers use strategies to help students

develop process and critical reasoning skills to understand science.

• Students become active learners

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 6: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

What do we mean by “Inquiry?”

Sources: http://www.inquiry.uiuc.edu and Llewellyn, Douglas Teaching HS Science through Inquiry NSTA Press 2005.

Page 7: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Why is “Inquiry” important?

• “Best” method for teaching science - National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996)

• Engages sustained student interest • Part of science standards.

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 8: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

“Discovery is addictive. It’s why we adults are in the field.

We need to give [high school students] the experience of discovery, of learning something never before known. [Science] is not about memorizing from textbooks.”

- Dr. Eric Lander, Founding Director of the world-renown Broad Institute at MIT

Sustained Student Interest

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 9: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Increasing Inquiry in the Classroom

• Courses for science teachers in inquiry

• Support for Teachers & Schools

• Messaging - Benefits & Recognition for Teachers and Students

• Partnerships with Higher Education

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 10: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Practical strategies for infusing more inquiry into teaching practice.

Partnering institutions of higher education Low-cost graduate credits (professional) Follow-up day(s) and support

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

What is the TSIP Institute?“Teaching Science through the Inquiry Process”

Page 11: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

TSIP Institute“Teaching Science through the Inquiry Process”

Field Test hosted by UMASS Boston In Summer 08

Page 12: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

TSIP History Outgrowth of 2005 Intel ISEF Educator Academy

Mass. Team project

Part of MSSEF’s Curious Minds Initiative (CMI)

TSIP Institute - graduate course

TSIP Facilitator Guide and Certification Program

Model that is reproducible, sustainable, measurable, regional and scalable.

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 13: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

TSIP: Rated 4.9 out of 5.0 by science teacher participantsWhat Teachers Told Us:

“Positively changed my understanding of inquiry process in teaching science

“Valuable opportunity to talk with peers

“Right amount of hands-on activities; practical & useful.

“Will apply what I learned to my teaching practice.

“Reinvigorated my excitement about teaching and engaging kids with thinking.

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

TSIP Syllabus & Teacher Feedback

Exploring a Hands-On TSIP Activity

Page 14: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Step #2 Teachers guide student projects

• Coaching students to investigate the world the way real scientists do

• Connecting schools/teachers with resources and mentors

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 15: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Why are Science Fair Projects important?

• Motivating & Meaningful • Enable in-depth understanding and retention• Open college & career opportunities• Build transferable 21st century skills in many

subject areas• Teachers are engaged and learn too!

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 16: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Projects Focus on Students’ Natural Curiosity

Page 17: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Patent Award Winners !

Reducing children’s backpack-related injuries

“Dry Mitt” glove to reduce arthritic hand pain

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 18: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Step #3 Develop School Science Fair Culture

Build Community Involvement

Judges, volunteers, mentors, sponsors Greater public awareness and support

http://wbztv.com/video/[email protected]

Increase STEM career awareness Requires time & resources

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 19: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Breaking Gender StereotypesIncrease in Female Student Participation

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 20: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

What Have We Learned?

Teachers see inquiry differently after TSIP course.

Teams work best. Novice inquiry teachers and practicing inquiry

teachers each take the next step. It takes time and commitment for teachers &

community to transform schools/districts into inquiry-based culture.

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 21: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

What teachers & schools need to succeed:

Knowledge, Tools & Resources

Time!

Recognition & Encouragement

Support from Administration & Community

Overcoming Obstacles

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 22: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

How Do We Measure Success?

Annual surveys of teachers and schools: Impact on TSIP teachers use /understanding of

inquiry Growth and sustainability of school-based Fairs

Impact on students Short term – # H.S. courses, science fair

participation Long term – College majors and careers At full scale-up - longitudinal study

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 23: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

How to Bring TSIP to My Region?

• Certified TSIP Course Facilitators • Tuition scholarships for teachers• Stipends for Science Teacher/ Fair Coordinator(s)• Support and sponsors from community• State Department of Education role• Regional Science Fair organizations role• Leveraged partnerships

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)

Page 24: Shop Talk May 13, 2009

Inspiring Sustained Student Interest in STEM

& Increasing School Participation in Fairs through Inquiry-Based Learning

Cora Beth Abel, Executive [email protected]

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF)