Investigate The State Presentation

Objectives for this Session Investigate the State: Collaborating to Study Science Issues in Michigan

Michigan Mathematics and Science Teacher Leadership Collaborative Stephen Best and Nancy Williams, University of Michigan

A Little Background • MMSTLC is a PD program for developing

a new generation of instructional leaders • Focus in science is on the more

challenging aspects of inquiry: • Student-designed investigations • Using scientific models to build understanding • Data collection and analysis • Assessing student understanding • Big picture of project-based inquiry learning

• Introduce the notion of geographical analysis

of common science topics through shared investigation and collaboration • Review and discuss plans for a statewide set

of investigations that help students learning content and build inquiry skills and experience • Consider the professional learning

opportunities of a collaborative investigation, review, and development of curricula for teachers

Some Challenges in the Approach and Model • No opportunity to reflect on a common set

of experiences or topics • Little organized opportunity to collaborate

on instruction or PD design • Reliance on local partners and individuals • No common set of structured activities that

all participants can engage colleagues with to assess understanding of inquiry • The EVER PRESENT short term views...

Borrow from the past...

Borrow from the past... • Teacher Quality grant program in Grand

Rapids schools (2004-6) • “Merged” several improvement efforts • Implementation of 5-E Instructional Model • Freedom to Learn technology initiative • Curriculum development and alignment • Need to address Highly Qualified status • Year 1: Implement a common inquiry unit

addressing hydrology and ecosystem topics • Year 2: Develop new inquiry units

Resulting Practices • Collaboration among classrooms and teachers

to share data and analyze on a regional scale

Resulting Practices • Chance to explore inquiry through a shared

lens and set of experiences • Use of technology to push student centered

learning practices • Collaboration among teachers to develop

new units and resources for themselves and their colleagues • Improved learning of science for all teachers

and students

Back to today

Investigate the State • Common set of lessons and curricular

resources that all teachers can use • Professional development program to

support teachers through local leaders and online tools and resources • Investigate large scale phenomena • Focus on the foundations of inquiry learning

and process skills for “doing science” • Collaboration among teachers to improve

practice and resources used

How it will work... • Lessons and instructional resources • “What is the water like in our river?” • “What is the quality of air in our community?” • A Network of Experts and Teacher

Specialists from the MMSTLC program • Professional Development • PD for local facilitators • Summer academy and other workshops • Extensive online community and resources • Online Collaboration Tools