Action Plan Presentation May 13, 2005 Intel ISEF Educator Academy Massachusetts, Region II United States of America

2 Introductions William Rigney (team leader): Science Director grades 6-12, Marlborough Public School System and secretary of Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Nancy Degon: Chemistry teacher at Auburn High School and Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair Chair Lisa Greenwald: Grade 7 Life Science teacher at Sarah W. Gibbons Middle School and member of the Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair Committee Valerie Lechtanski: Chemistry teacher at Hopkinton High School and Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair Vice-Chair Fredericka Solomon: Grades 7 and 8 Integrated Science Teacher and member of the Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair Committee

3 Goal Increase the number of students involved in project based research in schools ultimately leading to more science fair participation.

4 Objectives Measures of Success Increase the number of teachers trained to implement project based inquiry in the classroom Increase the number of students involved in project based research in schools Increase the number of students/schools participating in science fair competitions

5 Action Plan ActionMeasure success?Who’s Responsible? By when? Develop and offer summer institute to middle and high school teachers providing strategies for the implementation of student research projects Participants evaluate and provide feedback on efficacy and relevance of the institute Facilitators of the summer institute (2005 Educator Academy Group) Summer 2005 Establish a mentor program to assist teachers in implementing project based learning Number of teachers participating in the mentor program and a follow-up survey evaluating their mentor experience Facilitators of the summer institute and other veteran teachers who have experience in project based learning Spring 2006

6 Follow up sessions for summer institute participants during the school year for ongoing support for student research projects Number of teachers participating in the follow- up program Facilitators of the summer institute Winter 2006 Develop materials to support the establishment of middle and high school science and engineering fairs Increase numbers of schools offering science and engineering fairs and sending entries to the regional/state fairs Facilitators of the summer institute and members of WRSEF Spring 2007 ActionMeasure success?Who’s Responsible? By when? Action Plan (cont.)

7 Action Plan Implementation Obstacles: Identifying teachers interested in attending institute Resources of individual schools may limit full implementation of project based research and initiating science fairs Finding mentors for teachers may become an issue depending on number of requests District initiatives and administrative goals may conflict with full implementation of inquiry based learning and/or science fairs Action Plan

8 What is needed to overcome obstacles? District commitment to support project based learning and science fairs Support from building administrators of participating schools Funding and support through local business partnerships, grants, UMASS Medical School- Science Resource Center Continued support from Intel Financial Mentors Judges Action Plan

9 Next Step Finalize plans and implement Summer Institute Blueprints for Science July 5-8, 2005 Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science, Worcester

10 Intel ISEF Educator Academy Reflection Multiple perspectives of how to approach project based learning Value of mentorship for both teachers and students Need for professional development for teachers Ways to improve, organize, and involve community in science fairs Doing Well Firmly established middle and high school regional fairs Strong financial support at regional level Own Safety Review Committee Large number of judges

11 Team Members All Grown Up