Teaching Science Matters
An Eisenhower Grant in Science, Math & Technology

Grant Overview | Project Activities | Collaborators

• provide on-line materials, resources and support for the implementation of strategies and concepts learned in the professional development;
• to link scientists, teachers and pre-service teachers;
• and to help teachers make new connections among themselves and among content area resources.

Teaching Science Matters is an Eisenhower Professional Development grant in science, math and technology. Professional development for pre-service and in-service teachers primarily in grades 3-8 has been delivered by the Invention Factory Science Center, Princeton University and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. The program activities are designed to:

1. support the participating Districts' needs for professional development;
2. strengthen the teaching of science, math and technology and the integration of these subjects with other core curriculum content areas;
3. improve the understanding of and interest in science and math on the part of the teachers and pre-service teachers.

Strategies used in this project for improving teaching and learning are tied to the Core Curriculum Content Standards. The professional development offered is a result of a training needs assessment with each district. The program leads teachers from learning the basics in science, through a deeper understanding of concepts and an increased comfort level with the material that is essential for effective inquiry-based science teaching.

• Participating Schools - Burlington City schools include Boudinot, Lawrence, Smith and Wilbur Watts Intermediate. Florence Township schools include Duffy, Roebling and Florence Township Memorial Middle School. In Trenton, Woodrow Wilson, Columbus, Cadwalder, Gregory, Kilmer, Monument, Stokes and Hedgepath and Holland Middle Schools participate.
  

• Full Day Workshops - 6 full day workshops are held during the school year for lead teachers from each school. The sessions focus on science content, technology and the integration with other curriculum areas.
  
  
• After School Workshops - Schools are grouped into three "partnerships" - one joint partnership for Florence and Burlington City and two partnerships for Trenton. One after school workshop is held at each partnership each month to reinforce what was covered at the full day sessions. Workshops are in the areas of science content, math and integrating science with other curriculum. The program provides teachers with science materials at each session.
  
  
• Summer Institute - Two week long summer institute were held to provide Teachers with an in-depth understandingof inquiry pedagogy, authentic assessment and technique for integrating science, mathematics, language arts and social studies.
  
  
• QUEST - Princeton University - Teachers from all three districts participate in the summer institute.
  
  
• Mentors and Lead Teachers - provide support and leadership in their school. Mentors receive leadership training in action research and work with novice teachers.
  
  
• Website - provides electronic networking capabilities for schools and pre-service teachers.
  
  
• Pre-service teachers - outreach to pre-service teachers regarding inquiry-based science and the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards in science, math and reading. Pre-service teachers are invited to attend all professional development with in-service teachers.

• Invention Factory Science Center
  
• Princeton University
  
• Princeton Plasma Lab
  
• Burlington City, Florence & Trenton School Districts