The MSD of Pike Township received $338,016 to meet the objectives of the grant.

The Making Science Matter Project is a comprehensive professional development program in science to equip teachers to deliver high-quality inquiry-based science instruction and to become teacher-leaders in science.  Teachers will participate in a summer science institute facilitated by C.L.A.S.S. or a science academy facilitated by Butler University and monthly follow-up workshops.  They will also become teacher-leaders in their schools by mentoring, coaching, and model teaching.  These activities are designed to be sustained, intensive, classroom-focused and aligned with standards and science curriculum.

The Making Science Matter Project will begin with a summer institute in July of 2007 with the monthly follow-up workshops during the 2007-2008 school year.  This same timeline will be repeated in the summer of 2008 and 2009 for a new cohort of teachers.

• Teachers of science (grades K-9) will increase their participation in content-based professional development activities.
• Teacher of science (grades K-9) will increase their content knowledge of science.
• Teachers of science (grades K-9) will use of research-based instructional practice of inquiry-based learning.

• Butler University, Indianapolis – Department of Chemistry and the College of Education will provide a Summer Science Institute each summer and will provide support for the follow-up workshops.
• C.L.A.S.S. will provide a high-quality, four-day Science Academy on inquiry-based learning
• CIESC will provide high-quality professional development in science.
• The U.S. Department of the Interior-Geological Survey, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation – Camp Invention will provide expertise for our follow-up workshops.

In July, twenty-eight teachers will participate in a summer institute.  Elementary teachers will attend the C.L.A.S.S. Science Academy. The four-day institute will emphasize science integration and give practical strategies for science.  Featured speakers will be Dr. Spencer Kagan and Dr. Jerry Krockover.  Middle school and high school teachers will attend the Butler Science Institute. Butler faculty will enhance teachers’ science content knowledge, teach methods to engage students with a focus on laboratory topics and hands-on activities, as well as focus on inquiry-based learning in science.

• I have learned that Science is stress free!
• The most beneficial thing was being able to collaborate with other teachers - sharing ideas that work in the classroom
• Mr. Kagan's presentation was powerful and had many ah-ha moments!!
• The institute made the idea of integrating science not overwhelming.
• I learned structures for activities to ensure active engagement with everyone!
• Being in the model classrooms and working with other teachers was so beneficial.