Increasing the Potential of Physics and Chemistry Teachers in teachHOUSTON Paige Evans, Ed.D. R. Riley Hatch, Noyce Scholar Geoffrey Hart, Noyce Scholar

Introductions Paige Evans Master Teacher Physics Teacher Geoffrey Hart NOYCE Scholar Major: Mathematics Minor: Physics R. Riley Hatch NOYCE Scholar Majors: Chemistry & Biology

Agenda Introductions Staggering Statistics teachHOUSTON Statistics Collaboration with physics department Physics/Chemistry Majors in Program STEM Camp Putting it all together: Noyce A portrait of 2 Noyce Scholars

Introductions Introduce Yourself Program Role in your program Comment(s) about the status of physics and chemistry teachers in your program or area

Physical Science: a continuing problem * National Science Foundation, 2011

STEM Education: A National Crisis 67% of teachers teaching physics in grades 8 – 12 and 61% of teachers teaching chemistry in grades 8 – 12 nationwide are uncertified and unqualified (NAS, 2007).

STEM Education: A Texas Crisis Percentage of Middle and high school math and science teachers assigned out-of-field in Texas from (Fuller, 2009) Number of Texas High School Teachers Assigned Out-of-Field (Fuller, 2009)

A Texas Sized Problem in Houston (Jacobs, 2011; Resendez, 2011; Smith, Grinstead, & Benner, 2011).

A Texas Sized Problem in Houston Approximately 75% physics teachers did not receive a major or minor in physics (Brady, 2011; Dodd, 2011; Jacobs, 2011; Resendez, 2011; Smith, Grinstead, & Benner, 2011; Williams-Earlie, 2011). For physics, during the 2011 field testing for the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) End of Course (EOC) testing, just 3% of students tested would have met a passing standard set at a 70 percent correct response rate (Smith, Grinstead, & Benner, 2011). Teachers with composite certifications typically have a weaker content background in physics compare to other content areas (Jacobs, 2011; Brady, 2011; Resendez, 2011).

teachHOUSTON – A Snapshot A New Generation of Math and Science Teachers Started in Spring Graduates (including Spring 13) ◦46 Mathematics ◦25 Biology ◦11 Chemistry ◦ 1 Environmental Science ◦ 0 Physics 88 % are teaching (not including Spring 13) 83% are teaching in the Houston area (not including Spring 13)

Early Recruiting Attempts Successful at bringing in all majors except for physics ◦Co-Directors  Dr. Jeff Morgan, Professor and Chair – Math  Dr. Simon Bott, Instructional Professor and Undergraduate Chair – Chemistry ◦Recruiter/Advisor: Ms. Leah Shields

Physics – teachHOUSTON Collaboration Collaboration ◦Physics – Physics Faculty, Dr. Donna Stokes, Associate Professor, Undergraduate Academic Advisor ◦Started working together during the Fall 2009 Semester ◦First Physics Major – Spring 2010

Physics – teachHOUSTON Collaboration Collaboration ◦Grant Writing ◦Degree Plans (Physics and teachHOUSTON) ◦New Degree Plan (Math/Physics) ◦New Certification (Math/Physics) ◦New Course: Science Inquiry (PHYS 4342)  Will be taught for the first time this summer ◦Physics Minor:  Worked on a version most appropriate for teaching  Included Science Inquiry Course

Physics – Current Physics Majors in Program with GPA’s > 2.5 Starting Point Spring 13 1 – Spring 10 5 – Fall 11 2 – Fall 12 2 – Spring 13 2 – Step 1 4 – Step 2 1 – K & L 3 – CI

Chemistry Majors in Program 12 Currently in Program with GPA’s >2.5 ◦3 – Step 1 ◦3 – Step 2 ◦2 – K&L ◦3 – CI ◦1 – PBI

STEM Camp ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp ◦Opportunities for pre-service teachers to increase their self-efficacy

Senior Camp Counselors

Let’s Put it Together…. Success - Noyce Grant for Physics and Chemistry – Fall 2012 Graphic here of all components

Let’s Put it Together…. Geoff Hart – His journey

Let’s Put it Together…. Riley Hatch – his journey

Let’s Put it Together…. Other things tied to science inquiry course Composite science degree plans Goes back to the data – less Teachers with composite certifications typically have a weaker content background in physics compare to other content areas (Jacobs, 2011; Brady, 2011; Resendez, 2011).

PBI at UH Co-Teach Model Lessons ◦From PBI Unit ◦Inquiry Continuum Field Experience ◦Share Out