“Three Steps to Systemic Improvement in Science Education & Increased School Participation in Science Fairs” Intel ISEF Shop Talk May 14, 2012 © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

Shop Talk Overview The Three Steps Curious Minds Enables Three Steps “Inquiry First / Science Fairs Next!” Explore Hands-on Inquiry Activity! What Have We Learned? Can I Bring TSIP to My Region? © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

3 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 What Are the Three Steps? © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

Curious Minds Initiative(CMI) Enables the Three Steps!  Tools & Resources for Schools, Students & Teachers  Professional Development for STEM Teachers  3-5 YEAR Support Commitment to Schools  Base Program Improvement on Evidence © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc. GOAL: Increase School Participation 35% Over 5 years!

3 Courses/3 Steps to Great Fairs! Inquiry  Project-based Curricula  Science Fairs © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc. Course Completion Earns New STEM Certificate of Inquiry !

Inquiry First, Science Fairs Next! 6 Region 2 engages teachers in TSIP pilot over 3 years (formerly Blueprints for Science) 50% increase in district Science Fair student participation 40% of top 20 winners in statewide Science Fair Greatest # of winning projects at statewide fair © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

Step #1: Inquiry in the Classroom 7 Teachers use strategies to develop students’ process & critical reasoning skills to understand science. Students become active learners © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

What do we mean by “Inquiry?” Sources: and Llewellyn, Douglas Teaching HS Science through Inquiry NSTA Press    

Why is “Inquiry” Important? 9 Enables depth of understanding Engages sustained student interest Part of science standards © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

Sustained Student Interest 10 “Discovery is addictive. It’s why we adults are in the field, and why we come to work each day!” “ We need to give students the experience of discovery, of learning something never before known. [Science] is not about memorizing from textbooks.” Dr. Eric S. Lander Founding Director of the world-renown Broad © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

Increasing Inquiry in the Classroom 11 Courses in inquiry for science teachers Support for teachers & schools Messaging - benefits & recognition for teachers and students Partnerships with higher education © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

12 Deepens teachers’ understanding of inquiry Practical strategies Teachers become “learners” themselves Low-cost graduate credits (professional) Follow-up day(s) & support (best practices) What is TSIP? “Teaching Science through the Inquiry Process” © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

13 Helping Teachers to Add Inquiry to Curricula Teachers experience inquiry as learners during CMI Courses © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

14 TSIP Helps Science Teachers Increase Use of Inquiry © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

15 > 33% of TSIP Teachers Increase Inquiry Use by > 33% © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

16 TSIP -- 1 st Step to Science Fairs! Teachers become more effective & confident in their classroom use of inquiry All Cohorts:  94% changed teaching methods to more inquiry  15% to expand or start a new Science Fair. “Reinvigorated my excitement about teaching and engaging kids with thinking” © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

17 TSIP began with Massachusetts Team 2005 & 2007 Intel ISEF Educator Academy Meetings! - Now Part of MSSEF’s Curious Minds Initiative (CMI) ! CMI Educator MSSEF Fair - Inspired by the Intel ISEF Educator Academy! TSIP History © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

18  “Teaching Science Through the Inquiry Process” (TSIP) Summer week + Online & Follow-up days in spring & fall  “Project-based Classroom Science” (PCS) 3-day course with online component  “Organizing A Science & Engineering Fair” (OSEF) 2-day course & follow–up blog All Course Participants: CMI Educator State Science Fair STEM Certificate in Inquiry In partnership with Framingham State University © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

19 “Positively changed my understanding of inquiry process in teaching science “Valuable opportunity to talk with peers “Practical & useful TSIP Syllabus/Teacher Feedback Exploring a Hands-On TSIP Activity © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

Step #2 Teachers Guide Student Projects 20 Developing Project-based curriculum units Coaching students to investigate the world the way real scientists do Connecting schools/teachers with resources and mentors © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS 21 Motivating & meaningful Enables in-depth understanding & retention Opens college & career opportunities Builds transferable 21 st century skills “Educate to Innovate” Teachers learn too! © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

Encourage Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Public Service 22 Reducing children’s backpack- related injuries “Dry Mitt” glove to reduce arthritic hand pain MSSEF Patent Award Winners ! © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

Step #3 Develop School Science Fair Culture 23 Engage community – Judges, volunteers, mentors, sponsors Create greater public awareness & support Increase STEM career awareness © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

Step #3 Develop School Science Fair Culture Requires time & resources 24 Including the Right Tools! SRC “Wizard” Online Registration - Students & Judges © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

INSPIRING TODAY’S STUDENTS Inquiry Pedagogy & Science Fairs © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

© 2011 MASSACHUSETTS STATE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR, INC. (MSSEF) 26 What Have We Learned? Teachers see inquiry differently after TSIP. Teams work best. Novice & practicing inquiry teachers each take the next step. Takes time and commitment for teachers & community to transform schools/districts into inquiry-based culture. TSIP First, Science Fairs Next! – It Works!

MSSEF - BEST PRACTICES TEACHERS Resources & PD: STEM teachers become highly effective SCHOOLS Foster culture of inquiry & problem solving STUDENTS Guide/mentor students on research projects ORGANIZATIONS Build partnerships for sustainability, scale-up & public awareness.

© 2011 MASSACHUSETTS STATE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR, INC. (MSSEF) 28 What teachers & schools need to succeed:  Knowledge, Tools & Resources  Mentoring for Science Fair Development  Support from Administration & Community  Recognition & Encouragement  Time! OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

HOW DO WE MEASURE SUCCESS? Against Our CMI Goal Increase Number of School-based Fairs by 35% in 5 years REACHING TARGET! FOUR-YEAR REPORT: © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

© 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc. (MSSEF) How Do We Measure Success? Collect Data! 30 Annual surveys – teachers & schools  # Enrolled Who Complete the PD 162 STEM teachers  Changes in teaching practice Use of Inquiry Labs Increased 20%-40% Unpacking the definition of Inquiry Impact on students – short & long term  # Students Impacted – 9,000 per year  Choices about STEM studies and careers  Performance on standardized tests

31 How to Bring TSIP & CMI to My Region? Certified TSIP course facilitators Tuition scholarships for teachers Stipends for SF School Coordinator Data for fundraising – private & public Judges & sponsors from community Regional science fair organizations District-wide effort Leveraged partnerships © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

32 Create a Fundraising Strategy & Plan Establish a Committee/Select Chair Establish Goal(s) Develop “Campaign” Timeline Prepare Case for Support – include lots of data! Identify Donor Prospects Do’s and Don’ts of Making an Ask © 2012 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair, Inc.

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Cora Beth Abel, Executive Director William Rigney, Vice President An Experience That Lasts a Lifetime