Post on 27-Dec-2015
Teaching Opportunities for Teaching Opportunities for Partners in SciencePartners in Science
Sustainable program for K-12 science education improvement since 1993 in northern California
Partners retired scientists, engineers with elementary schools
Who are the Partners?Who are the Partners?
A True PartnershipA True Partnership
Partners concept is important
– Scientist/Engineer– Lead teacher at school site– Classroom teachers
No prescribed curriculum. Enhancement, not replacement.
Lessons aligned to standards and state adopted materials for grade level and school.
Hands-on labs reinforce classroom study
What is taught?What is taught?
Making a MotorMaking a Motor
What do Partners do?What do Partners do? Volunteer at one school for 6-8 hours per
month over course of one school year Develop and deliver lessons with input and
assistance of teacher. (e.g., properties of magnets/electricity)
Set up labs (students explore/discover properties)
Use scientific language and methods Model and provide info on science careers Offer family event for parents/students
Parents get involved at family eventParents get involved at family event
Fathers especially enjoy Fathers especially enjoy eventevent
““I have two comments and a question”I have two comments and a question” (4 (4thth grade) grade)
Teacher Impact Teacher Impact
Promotes teaching of MORE and BETTER science
Teacher has "science mentor“ for content ???’s Offers assistance in getting and setting up
equipment Enhances--doesn’t replace--professional
development
TOPS teaches students and teachers!
Teacher EnthusiasmTeacher Enthusiasm
A Well Established History of SuccessA Well Established History of Success
14 years of successful operationOperating in 5 counties in northern
CaliforniaCurrently in 35 elementary schoolsApproximately 67,000 hours of
student/scientist contact per year
Program CostsProgram Costs
Annual cost per school $1400Plus administrative costs for
sponsoring district/agencyCost per school includes training for
Partners and Lead Teachers Includes library of check out materials.
Why is TOPS so Successful?Why is TOPS so Successful?
Teaching, not entertainmentDepth---one year assignment
– Know the students– Teach to students level
Ongoing Training for Partner and Lead Teacher
Lead Teacher at school site and ongoing support from both Scientists and Educators
Training is IntegralTraining is Integral
Discovering DensityDiscovering Density
Learning about Learning about Series and Series and Parallel circuitsParallel circuits
Benefits of TOPSBenefits of TOPS Retirees are largely an untapped resource Teachers learn science Improved science learning for students with
increased interest.
ResultsResults
Partner enthusiasm
Partner enthusiasm
ResultsResults
More science taught in elementary schools
Teacher engagement in science learningStudents look forward to scientist visitsScience becomes interesting and funStudents can imagine being scientists
Enthusiasm!Enthusiasm!
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are needed to see this picture.
Survey Results From 13 Lead Survey Results From 13 Lead TeachersTeachers
Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree
Beneficial for required assessments? 4.54
Want scientist/engineer in my classroom? 4.85
Survey CommentsSurvey Comments
Sometimes science is a “hook” to get kids interested in school and lessons .
….she will be doing three hands on activities: making anemometers and barometers, a molecule model, and the human body. All directly tied to standards
…able to introduce students to areas of science and hands on lessons that a classroom teacher might not have access to
TOPScience TOPScience Program Program Summary:Summary:
Students are Students are helped to……helped to……
More information available More information available upon requestupon request
Teaching
Opportunities for
Partners in
Science
Judi Wilson jwilson@sjcoe.netConnie Oliver coliver@sjcoe.net
ChemistryChemistry
StarlabStarlab
Starting YoungStarting Young
Discovering StaticDiscovering Static
Science FairScience Fair