$220,960

Pairs of teachers from each elementary school form the foundation of an inquiry-based instructional mentorship team.  2 additional teachers from each school are added to the network in subsequent years bringing the total to 66 mentors in the third year.  The mentors meet monthly to work on curriculum alignment and integration, instructional design, and to review successes and failures of inquiry based instruction the previous month.   Deliverables are created to, in turn, share at their buildings’ monthly professional development sessions.   Quarterly released time is provided to provide further support and opportunities to share ideas for the development of inquiry based lessons/units.  Each summer the mentors participate in a two week workshop as well as two 2-day follow-up workshops during the school year.  The focus of the workshops are teaching and learning science through inquiry based instruction.

Year 1  Selection of 22 mentors April/May 2006, 2-week summer workshop June, 2006, Monthly meetings September-May, Robotics Competition October, 2 science parent involvement nights October-May( dates vary by buildings), April/May building and district wide science fairs/exhibits
Year 2  Add 22 more mentors- similar calendar to above                                                         
Year 3  Add 22 more mentors- similar calendar to above

To improve the quality of BCSC K-6 teachers’ science instruction utilizing a hands-on, inquiry-based approach.                                                                                                                              
To increase BCSC K-6 teachers/ understanding of scientific concepts.                                                  
To increase BCSC K-6 student mastery of the Indiana State Science Standards.                                     
To increase BCSC K-6 parents understanding and involvement in their child’s science education.   

IUPUC Instructors from the Science, Technology, and Education Departments provide training and support for the mentors.  The school principals provide support for the implementation of inquiry based science.  The mentors provide leadership and “coaching” in each of their buildings to promote inquiry based science.

Mentors have completed an integrated curriculum map for science.  This will result in a greater focus on science as an integral part of the student learning environment.  A second exciting event was the first Lego Robotics Competition locally.  This was an outgrowth of summer training.  A third positive accomplishment has been the significant increase of parent involvement through parent nights and science fairs/exhibits.

Teacher:  I didn't know how exciting science could be.  I really can do this!