Ed Home (text) - TRC Home - sciencelines IndexEducation Office Needs Assessment Workshop
On October 2, 40 educators from 15 school districts met at Fermilab to discuss the status of science education in the context of state and national frameworks. Districts were selected at random from DuPage and Kane counties, and superintendents selected a team to represent the district at the workshop. The group provided input to the Education Office regarding future program direction.
Over the next few months the Education Office will be reviewing program offerings in light of the issues raised below. In the meantime, we invite you to visit the Teacher Resource Center which serves as our clearinghouse or call Susan Dahl at 630-840-3094 for assistance. If you would like a scientist to visit your classroom, participate in a career fair or serve as a science fair judge, contact Luann O'Boyle at 630-840-4229. For those of you who have access to Internet, we have started a list of useful Web sites as the "surge" tool you requested. The URL is http://www-ed.fnal.gov/url_index.html. Let the Webmaster know if you have other sites to recommend. We also have an index of on-line engaged learning classroom projects developed by teachers who have completed the LInC course. There are about 60 K-12 projects. The index is at http://www-ed.fnal.gov/project_index.html, and the on-line course materials may be found at http://www-ed.fnal.gov/linc/linc_home.html.
Summary of Issues
Staff Development
- Bring back long-term,in-depth programs that incorporate teacher incentives, contacts with experts/scientists and exposure to models of best practice
- Develop the following subject areas:
- Technology/Internet
- How to reframe science education to be standards-driven
- Science content
- Content K-6-12
- Adult learner/science literacy--geared to teachers
- Curriculum
- Instruction
- Facilities
- Provide help on making the best of existing buildings and/or new designs
- Leadership
- Creating teacher agents for change based on Standards (leadership)
- Leadership consistency to oversee teaching of science
- Assessment
- Identify and develop models of inquiry-based learning
- Set expectations for new teachers
Curriculum
- Best practice
- Interdisciplinary approach, inquiry, relevancy
- Technology - 21st century
- Assessment
Support
- Form partnerships with schools
- Assist with grant writing
- Facilitate professional networks--local educators and scientists share experiences and techniques to:
- Coordinate efforts with other service providers
- Serve as a clearinghouse
- Help with updating equipment--loan expensive, sophisticated lab equipment such as biotech equipment
- Be public advocates for standard-based reform
Resources--scientists serve as:
- Role models
- Experts in the classroom
Technology
- Help schools integrate technology in the science curriculum
- Support + use + access to Internet technology
- Explore, "net," world beyond access--technology/community
Time Management
- Assist teachers deal with issues such as:
- Consumables need to be readily accessible/replenishable or curriculum is not covered
- How to teach fewer topics in-depth and still cover the important concepts
- Flexible use of time
- Resources - planning time
- Staff development
- Money
- Availability of Lederman Center