Kristen Harrison Facilitator

The IRC The IISME Research Collaborative is a group of teachers working together to increase the amount and rigor of research- and inquiry-based science opportunities in their classrooms, schools, and districts.

Teacher Participants Year 1 ( ) Year 2 ( ) Year 3 ( ) GOAL Teachers Schools91318

Results –Clubs, Projects, & Courses Year 1Year 2 New Science Clubs 2 (+200%) ŧ 4 (+133%) ŧŧ Club Participation 86 (+76%) * 209 (+118%) ** Student Research Projects 69 (+60%) ¥ 591 (+66%) ¥¥ New Research Courses 11 (+100%) ŧ Up from 1 to 3 ŧ ŧ Up from 3 to 7 *Up from 49 to 86 **Up from 96 to 209 ¥ Up from 43 to 69 ¥¥ Up from 357 to 591

Results cont. – Classroom Inquiry Student Benefit Year 1 Year 2 Teachers new to inquiry Teachers doing more inquiry Total

Why does it work? CHOOSE TO JOIN – Teachers are not told to participate. DEDICATION – Teachers want to do more “real science.” INDEPENDENCE – Teachers choose goals/methods and can form teams. ACCOUNTABILITY – Teachers share goals and updates in a supportive environment.

Why does it work? Continued MEETINGS – Useful and practical content that meets teacher need, no fluff MENTORS – Access to mentors with lots of experience DIVERSITY – Variety of districts and teaching environments SHARING RESOURCES – Best practices, curriculum, recruitment strategies, tracking documents, equipment and contacts “GO TO” PERSON - For questions

Who Participates? High School Science, Engineering, and Industrial Arts teachers Range No Experience Lots of Experience Wide range offers: great collaboration, fresh ideas, experienced teachers share resources

Recruiting Teachers OUTREACH – Directly to targeted teachers RECOMMENDATIONS – Welcome and sought INVITATION – Voluntary participation PREPARATION – Invite to STEM fair event to stimulate and observe interest. CAPACITY – Grow number of teacher members from each school site.

Teacher Projects Primary Goal – Teacher(s) select goal. Increase number and rigor of classroom inquiry. Develop or grow a science research club/course. Support student-driven research projects. Facilitator coaches to finalize project objectives, methods, and budget. Timeline - Finish plan before school year begins.

IRC Project Template IISME Research Collaborative - Project Template School Name and address: Lead Teacher Name and contact information: Other Teachers involved and contact information: Main Goal: Increase student participation in student driven research projects (science fair) and/or Increase inquiry based activities in classrooms and/or building a science/research club Objectives: What specific things do you want to achieve this academic year? Write the objectives in a way that will help you measure whether the objective has been met or not. Think SMART (specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and timely)! One of the following objectives must include be included in some way; 1) students reading and using current research developments or 2) participating in the design of an experiment. Make sure to include 1) the number of students participating, 2) teacher time commitment, and 3) student time commitment. If your main goal is to increase inquiry-based activities in the classroom, please include a number, description, and estimated rigor of the inquiry/research activities for the teachers choosing to infuse activities into their existing classes. Method: How do you think you are going to meet the objectives listed above? These may change as you learn more through the collaborative. Who will need to be involved? When will the objectives be met (could include a timetable)? How will you know when each objective has been met (measure)?

IRC Support Professional Learning Community Facilitator Teacher Consultants Meetings Online Community Funding

Professional Learning Community The IRC is a group of teachers working together. Members share – Best practices Resources and equipment Experiences Ideas Contacts Intel Teachers Engage – Hosts Content/Resources

IRC Facilitator PRIMARY CONTACT ACTION PLANS – Helps craft/finalize each teacher’s plan MEETINGS – Plans agenda with consultants, leads sessions, handles logistics ONLINE COMMUNITY – Posts and organizes content DATA TRACKER/REPORTER – IRC reports for funders and districts BUDGET MANAGER – Oversees budget and distribution

IRC Meetings MEETINGS – Four per year, each two-hours LOCATIONS – At IRC member schools, rotate Part One – Whole group meeting Part Two – Sub-group meeting by focus/content area CONTENT TARGETS – Meet member needs Plan future Upcoming needs Next meeting topic and resources

Teacher Consultants EXPERIENCED – Extensive expertise with classroom inquiry, science clubs, and/or supporting student projects MEETINGS – Work with facilitator to set agenda and lead breakout sessions SUPPORT – Answer teachers’ questions (phone and ) PARTICIPATION – Members with their own projects supported by the IRC

Content: Meeting Agendas Announcements Inquiry Curriculum – Tagged by Subject Club Resources – Recruiting, Activities, Procedures Research Projects – Sample Timelines, Session Content, Procedures, Competition info. Websites, Grant Opportunities, etc. Online Community Intel Teacher’s Engage Over 80 documents viewed 232+ times

Sustainability- INDEPENDENCE – Goal of independence by Year 3 INFORMATION – Facilitated information sharing Teachers from one group help lead another group Use online community Bring groups together sometimes EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES – Share equipment Share advice on inexpensive sources Partner with internship programs & other organizations Companies donation days SPREAD THE WORK – Within schools

Challenges IRC – Teachers are busy! Wide variety of teacher experience and need Growing teacher capacity at school site STUDENT PROJECTS – Recruiting students Keeping students engaged Matching students with mentors/special resources

Questions? Kristen Harrison Documents on Intel Teacher’s Engage site, search for Kristen Harrison and Amanda Alonzo