NSF Awards: 1102998
The focus of ISEP is the critical middle school experiences of students in science and engineering as they transition to high school. The project utilizes an innovative approach to teacher professional development among 12 high-needs urban schools (including “feeder” middle schools and their corresponding high schools) via courses and interdisciplinary research experiences, development of science and technology classroom materials that are aligned with state science learning standards, and inquiry-based curricula. The ISEP also combines novel mentoring approaches and expanded professional learning communities to build leadership and resources for improving science education in high-needs/high-potential urban schools.
Joni Falk
This is a fabulous video. Thanks for sharing it. We all talk about having students see the applicability of what they are learning, but seeing this video brings it to life. How many teachers and students are involved in this program? How do you train the post-docs and volunteers that come into the classroom to interact appropriately with the different grades? Are you thinking about scale up? If so what challenges do you see?
Karen King
ISEP
Thank you for your comments Joni. Over 60 teachers and over 800 students are involved with ISEP in varying degrees. We hold a monthly doc student PLC to discuss a wide range of issues including classroom management and expectations. Our ISEP coordinating teachers have been instrumental in offering guidance as well. We have been quite thrilled with the ISEP doc students ability to truly embed themselves into the school building culture. They have been an incredible asset to the project. Scaling up would be great, but of course that will require continual and increased funding. This is a challenge for all grant funded programs. We are exploring several avenues.
Amie Patchen
I agree, this is a great video and it looks like a great project! Could you describe the mentoring approaches you mention in the description a little? Do the students see the same post-docs or volunteers over time? How often? How do you help facilitate the mentoring? Thanks!
Karen King
ISEP
Amie,
Our doc students typically work with the same group of students throughout the school year. We also have undergraduate service learning students that work in the 12 ISEP schools every semester. They are enrolled in Dr. Gardella’s service leaning course, where he discusses mentoring and various mentoring models.
Beth Sanzenbacher
Middle Science Instructional Leader
This is an inspired project! I love the collaboration of several large local institutions to improve STEM eduction in local public schools. Could you speak more about this partnership? What were some of the challenges in bringing these institutions together? What was required for buy-in? What were some of your key successes? Do you think what you developed here in Buffalo is a sustainable model that could be applied in cities across the country?
Karen King
ISEP
Beth,
Yes, the collaborations between our partners has been incredible! No challenges, really. We have had total buy in from the onset, that is probably the key factor to our success. Our research, corporate, academic and community partners have all been on board. Yes, you can replicate this model in other cities, but of course it would have to reflect the specifics of each community. For example, we have a rapidly growing refugee community in Buffalo. Initially the ISEP program was not looking at ESL teachers and ELL students as focus, however in an effort to be relevant and responsive to the real needs in the district we continue to develop an ESL component to the work we do. With regards to a sustainable model; that is a challenge. Creating revenue streams that don’t dry up after the life of grant is a challenge. We are in year 4 of the ISEP grant. We are exploring several options regarding sustainable models, very challenging indeed.
Tammy Pirmann
K-12 Coordinator
You mention expanding professional learning communities. Were those communities face to face or virtual and how does this project expand them?
Karen King
ISEP
Tammy,
Currently our PLC’s meet face to face. We entertained virtual PLC’s, but believe face to face time is the most effective. We have several PLC ’clusters" including a parent cluster and doc student cluster, a coordinating teacher cluster and a research focus cluster. We will be hosting our first building principal cluster tomorrow!
Martha Merson
Very inspiring to see such diverse groups focused on STEM learning. Seems as though you have buy-in from many quarters.
Karen King
ISEP
Yes, we are very fortunate to have a wide range of stakeholder by-in. Hoping we can continue to develop strong partnerships that will enable ISEP to continue after the grant ends.
Kathy Perkins
Nice video! It is great to see the involvement and passion from so many stakeholders. You capture their voices, perspectives and passion well!
Deborah Kariuki
“if student see it then it is harder to ignore”, “If students in the classroom see the application and applicability of what science is then they will stay with science and in the classroom”.Two very compelling statements from the teacher and the researcher in the project. ISPE is doing excellent work with those kids and I wish more higher education and industries would partner with teachers to emmulate this project. Good work.
Further posting is closed as the showcase has ended.