Dr. Gail Marshall Department of Leadership and Applied Instruction College of Education Mrs. Judy Cox Department of Early Learning and Childhood Education College of Education Dr. Gail Marshall Department of Leadership and Applied Instruction College of Education Mrs. Judy Cox Department of Early Learning and Childhood Education College of Education Training Teachers to Apply Inquiry in K-12 Sciences

UWG Learning Festival - added since conference Free event, on the Carrollton campus, open to all teachers, on May 31, and June 1 This is a mini-conference with a relaxing atmosphere – learn while you “wind down” for summer! There will be various sessions of interest across all disciplines, but for science at this time we plan two sessions regarding science teacher kits for check out for your classroom (you pick up/return). One session will be for elementary, the other for middle and secondary. See our contact info on previous or last slide.

Improving Teacher Quality (TQ) State Grant Program Dr. Kathy Thompson, Director Dr. Kathy Thompson, Director

Improving Teacher Quality (TQ) State Grant Program  Originally Eisenhower Higher Education Program.  Now PL Title II-Part A, Higher Education.  Administered by the University of Georgia for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.  TQ funds are used to enhance the teaching of science, mathematics, language arts, reading, and social studies at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in public and private schools.   Purpose: To strengthen and deepen teachers’ content knowledge in their academic subjects…with attention to how strengthened and deepened content knowledge impacts teaching practices and student learning.

Teacher Quality at UWG  TQ grants funded for STEM subjects*:  For elementary teachers: ; ; ; , and ; ;  For chemistry teachers: and  For physical sciences teachers: ;  For earth science teachers: ;  For env science teachers: ;  For middle/secondary math/science to use technology: and ,  Middle School Science & Sports  Science and Birds  Elementary number sense and technology * Grants funded for are in red.

Workshop Training Plan  One week of “ immersion ” in inquiry teaching and learning experiences (30-35 hours  Follow-up sessions (15-20 hours) oDays 1 and 2: Extended training beyond summer; selected Certifications (such as Project WET); field trips, speakers, special consultants, discussion of implementation progress, etc.* oDay 3: Discussion of inquiry-based activities, implementation ideas, celebration luncheon, poster presentations by participants, certificates, post assessments, and final evaluations. o*As part of the evaluation, a number of the grants include visits by the faculty and/or the external evaluators to observe participants’ implementation of knowledge and skills gained from the workshop training.

Hallmarks of the UWG Teacher Quality Workshops Investigation Before Explanation Investigation Before Explanation

Investigation Must Start Somewhere Engage and Explore

Cooperative learning environment – shared ideas and pooling of information More Exploration

Communication of Findings … Trying to Explain

Explaining, Elaborating and Evaluating provide an avenue beyond the initial planned investigation.

Networking with and learning from others …. Helps with the “sense making.” Interaction between experienced and novice teachers promoted mutual respect, dependence and friendships. Participants experienced blend of content and pedagogy from University of West Georgia College of Arts& Sciences and College of Education faculty. Renowned chemical educators offered sessions for participants. Professor Donald Wink University of Illinois - Chicago Professor Bassam Shakhashiri University of Wisconsin - Madison

Hallmarks of the UWG Teacher Quality Workshops Investigation Before Explanation (It works for adults … and it works for kids!) Investigation Before Explanation (It works for adults … and it works for kids!)

Impact of TQ Workshop on Participants’ Attitudes Hrs of Training Self-Assessment Attitude Scores 5 (Max) = Confident, 1 (Min) = Not so confident

Training for Technology Integration for Middle and Secondary Science and Math Co-PIs Joy Black and Gail Marshall Consultants: Debbie and Don Poss Co-PIs Joy Black and Gail Marshall Consultants: Debbie and Don Poss

Technology Assisted Instruction – It’s Even Fun for the Teachers!

Teachers Learn the Advantages of Technology Integration – And Gain Confidence to Use with Their Students

Environmental Education: A Model Problem- Based (PBL-S3) Investigation of the Ecology of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Rivers System Co-PIs Heidi Banford and Gail Marshall Co-PIs Heidi Banford and Gail Marshall

Teachers Learn about the Environment by Being in The Environment

Learning About Water in the Hot Florida Sun

Helping Teachers to Incorporate Inquiry and Nature of Science in the Elementary Classroom Co-PIs Sharmistha Basu-Dutt and Gail Marshall Co-PIs Sharmistha Basu-Dutt and Gail Marshall

Data Collection and Observations …. In Elementary Science

Experimentation …. I wonder what would happen if ….?

Communicating and Analysis during Students’ Experiences (C.A.S.E.) in the Physical Sciences Co-PIs Sharmistha Basu-Dutt and Gail Marshall Co-PIs Sharmistha Basu-Dutt and Gail Marshall

Teachers Become Students Engaged in Problem Solving

Earth Science for Teachers Co-PIs Tim Chowns and Judy Cox Consultants: Stephanie Miles and Brandi Freeman Co-PIs Tim Chowns and Judy Cox Consultants: Stephanie Miles and Brandi Freeman

On the Trail in North Georgia ….

Rock Formations… and more Rock Formations

Lessons learned by the leaders  Teachers behave as scientists when they are challenged with problems in a supportive environment.  Cooperative teamwork provides an understanding of the need for different perspectives.  Fears of science can be overcome when teachers really experience science themselves.  When teachers feel comfortable with science, they are more likely to do hands-on science with their students.  Attitudes of teachers are reflected in attitudes of students.

Improving Teacher Quality Projects at UWG Enhancing the Nature of Science and Problem Solving in Elementary Science Instruction Sport Science: Teaching Middle School Science through Sport Taking Wing: Engaging Students in Science through Birds Improving Mathematical Number Sense and Technology Integration in the Elementary Classroom

Information Source for TQ Training Go to “Current Projects” and then “Full Listing of Projects” for complete description of all offerings throughout the state. These are listed alphabetically by institution.

We greatly appreciate the opportunities to participate in the Teacher Quality program which has enabled us to work with many truly dedicated educators from Georgia’s schools.

Contact us if we can be of assistance for information on professional learning opportunities. Gail Marshall Judy Cox