$486,977

Cannelton City Schools is the fiscal agent for the Southern Indiana Education Center consortium. Coupled with the fiscal agent and SIEC are eight (low-performing in science) rural public elementary schools, the Indiana University science department, one science engineer, two outside evaluators, one special education co-op teacher, one business partner and school communities. They will unite to institute a quality system throughout the region that will ensure that teachers significantly improve their knowledge of science and best practices of teaching science with resulting improvement (proficient or advanced scoring on ISTEP) of science achievement for children in grades K-6. The system will be formed as a networking support for science teachers and improved elementary science programs. It will be based on NSTA recommendations, the National Science Standards and the IDOE Science Standards.  Each of the goals directly relate to improved teaching and learning of science for students in grades K-6. The teachers and university partners/engineers will work together at bimonthly training seminars, two nine-day summer institute sessions, online forums, bimonthly online newsletters, and two-way video communications. All sessions will be filmed, edited, archived, and distributed in DVD format. Outside evaluators will “condition” participants to collect and review evaluative measures of their work and results in the classroom with the Survey of Enacted Curriculum data as an evaluation focus tool coupled with multiple measures of assessment.

June 2006 – May 2009

Goal 1:  To expand the content knowledge of elementary science teachers

Goal 2:  To establish a southern regional professional learning community for the promotion of the exchange of ideas and methods for the improvement of teaching and learning science

Goal 3:  To ensure best practices in elementary science teaching and learning so that student achievement is proficient at or above science ISTEP passing scores

Goal 4.  To provide inquiry-based professional learning modules that give the teachers
science content packaged in rigorous and relevant units

The Summer Institute had 70+ participants. We focused on the Science Standards Four (The Living Environment) and Three (The Physical Setting). Diane Paynter of Marzano and Associates presented the research-based background needed for every subject area for successful teaching and learning. Jose Bonner, Molecular Biologist from Indiana University was a dynamic presenter of content and strategies of the important scientific process. Professional books and materials were reviewed for content understanding and application in the classroom. Thorough “unpacking” of the benchmarks in the science standards were learned by all. Archives in DVD digital video photography  helps to sustain and keep alive the journey to success as science teachers.

Diane Paynter is awesome. I learned so much about the strategies I should be using if I want my students to succeed.

I really never looked at the science standards like I have this week. Wow! Do I have work ahead of me.

I feel that I can call Dr. Bonner or email him at any time. He was extremely helpful to me.

The weeks were helpful to me. It was great to meet other educators of all grade levels learning about science expectations that build up a whole in the school.

The coordinators, Mrs. Donis and Mrs. Creekmur really care about us!

The support materials to learn science content are invaluable. Thank you! Thank you!