Increasing the Potential of Physics and Chemistry
Teachers in teachHOUSTON
Paige Evans, Ed.D.R. Riley Hatch, Noyce ScholarGeoffrey Hart, Noyce Scholar
Introductions
Paige Evans
Master TeacherPhysics Teacher
Geoffrey Hart
NOYCE ScholarMajor: Mathematics
Minor: Physics
R. Riley Hatch
NOYCE ScholarMajors: Chemistry &
Biology
Agenda
IntroductionsStaggering StatisticsteachHOUSTON StatisticsCollaboration with physics departmentPhysics/Chemistry Majors in ProgramSTEM CampPutting it all together: NoyceA portrait of 2 Noyce Scholars
Introductions
Introduce YourselfProgramRole in your programComment(s) about the status of physics
and chemistry teachers in your program or area
Physical Science: a continuing problem*National Science Foundation, 2011
19661968
19701972
19741976
19781980
19821984
19861988
19901992
19941996
19982001
20032005
20070
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
U.S. Bachelor Degrees Awarded by Year*
Biological and Agricultural Sciences
Physical Sciences
Year
Num
ber D
egre
es A
war
ded
STEM Education: A National Crisis
67% of teachers teaching physics in grades 8 – 12 and
61% of teachers teaching chemistry in grades 8 – 12 nationwide are uncertified and unqualified
(NAS, 2007).
STEM Education: A Texas Crisis
Percentage of Middle and high school math and science teachers assigned out-of-field in Texas from 1999-2008 (Fuller, 2009)
Number of Texas High School Teachers Assigned Out-of-Field (Fuller, 2009)
A Texas Sized Problem in Houston
Pasadena ISD Galena Park ISD Alief ISD52
54
56
58
60
62
64
66
Experience of Houston-Area Physics Teachers
Houston-Area School District
Perc
en
tag
e o
f P
hysic
s T
each
ers
Lackin
g 3
Years
of
Exp
eri
en
ce
(Jacobs, 2011; Resendez, 2011; Smith, Grinstead, & Benner, 2011).
A Texas Sized Problem in Houston
Approximately 75% physics teachers did not receive a major or minor in physics (Brady, 2011; Dodd, 2011; Jacobs, 2011; Resendez, 2011; Smith, Grinstead, & Benner, 2011; Williams-Earlie, 2011).
For physics, during the 2011 field testing for the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) End of Course (EOC) testing, just 3% of students tested would have met a passing standard set at a 70 percent correct response rate (Smith, Grinstead, & Benner, 2011).
Teachers with composite certifications typically have a weaker content background in physics compare to other content areas (Jacobs, 2011; Brady, 2011; Resendez, 2011).
teachHOUSTON – A Snapshot
A New Generation of Math and Science TeachersStarted in Spring 200783 Graduates (including Spring 13)
◦46 Mathematics◦25 Biology◦11 Chemistry◦ 1 Environmental Science◦ 0 Physics
88 % are teaching (not including Spring 13)83% are teaching in the Houston area (not
including Spring 13)
Early Recruiting Attempts
Successful at bringing in all majors except for physics◦Co-Directors
Dr. Jeff Morgan, Professor and Chair – Math Dr. Simon Bott, Instructional Professor and
Undergraduate Chair – Chemistry
◦Recruiter/Advisor: Ms. Leah Shields
Physics – teachHOUSTON Collaboration
Collaboration◦ Physics – Physics Faculty, Dr. Donna Stokes, Associate Professor,
Undergraduate Academic Advisor◦ Started working together during the Fall 2009 Semester◦ First Physics Major – Spring 2010
Physics – teachHOUSTON Collaboration
Collaboration◦Grant Writing◦Degree Plans (Physics and teachHOUSTON)◦New Degree Plan (Math/Physics)◦New Certification (Math/Physics)◦New Course: Science Inquiry (PHYS 4342)
Will be taught for the first time this summer◦Physics Minor:
Worked on a version most appropriate for teaching Included Science Inquiry Course
Physics – Current Physics Majors in Program with GPA’s > 2.5
Starting Point Spring 13
1 – Spring 105 – Fall 112 – Fall 122 – Spring 13
2 – Step 14 – Step 21 – K & L3 – CI
Chemistry Majors in Program
12 Currently in Program with GPA’s >2.5◦3 – Step 1◦3 – Step 2 ◦2 – K&L ◦3 – CI ◦1 – PBI
STEM Camp
ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp◦Opportunities for pre-service teachers to
increase their self-efficacy
Senior Camp Counselors
Let’s Put it Together….
Success - Noyce Grant for Physics and Chemistry – Fall 2012
Graphic here of all components
Let’s Put it Together….
Geoff Hart – His journey
Let’s Put it Together….
Riley Hatch – his journey
Let’s Put it Together….
Other things tied to science inquiry courseComposite science degree plansGoes back to the data – lessTeachers with composite certifications
typically have a weaker content background in physics compare to other content areas (Jacobs, 2011; Brady, 2011; Resendez, 2011).
PBI at UHCo-Teach
Model Lessons
◦From PBI Unit
◦Inquiry Continuum
Field Experience
◦Share Out
Top Related