Intel ISEFEducator Academy

May, 2005

Team Oregon

Hillsboro, Oregon

2

Introductions

• Team Oregon– Morgan Anderson, Intel OR Education Manager– Rachelle Carnes, High School Science Teacher– Shawna Dehler, High School Math Teacher– Laycee Kinsman, Middle School Science Teacher– Chris Steiner, High School Science Teacher

3

Educational Environment

Hillsboro School District– Hillsboro is a growing suburb of Portland

• 1 of 198 school districts in 35 counties

• 4 high, 4 middle, 23 elementary, 2 alternative schools

• 841 teachers

• 19,191 students

4

Educational Environment• Hillsboro’s schools are comprehensive and teach to a

standards-based curriculum. • We focus on individual students and create smaller

communities of learning.• Math and Science Requirements:

– Middle schools (grades 7-8) require students to take 2 years of math and 1.5 years of science

– High schools (9-12) require 2 credits of math and 2 credits of science for graduation

– Universities require 3 years of math and 2 years of science

– Governor Kulongoski signed American Diploma Project pledge to increase high school requirements in math, science and language arts

5

Oregon Science Fairs• Ten feeder fairs in the state, up from one fair four years ago, • HSD has partnered with Intel and the Beaverton School

District to run our own Intel ISEF-affiliated fair. Over 160 students from both districts participated this year

• Organized and hosted 2nd annual Science Research Symposium with 1,000 students attending from Hillsboro & Beaverton Schools

• Launched K-8 district fair after attending Intel ISEF Educator Academy 2 years ago…400 projects displayed.

• Virtually all elementary schools and half the middle schools hold their own school science fair—result from last trip to Intel ISEF

• Hosted Intel ISEF in Portland in 2004!

6

Obstacles– Students losing interest in research activities

when they transition to high school – Challenge in securing teacher buy-in to

include research in curriculum and gaining support with after-school coordination

– Need stronger district and building-level support as well as understanding of commitment

7

Action Plan Focus

• Create a plan to transition middle school science fair participants to high school participants

• District-supported science clubs and research classes at all levels

• Providing training and incentives for teachers to include their students in science fairs

8

Background • Under new “management” and attitude

and outlook is rosier than a few years ago– New Superintendent is also former science

teacher