Enhancing Connections:
The K-16 Community and Integrating Science in the Curriculum
Project Kaleidoscope
(PKAL) Philadelphia Regional
Network Workshop
6 April, 2002
Bryn Mawr College
Challenges
Best Ideas
A regional resource center ó examples of what it would
do:
- send out materials
- maintain materials
- train teachers
Foster deep partnerships
- Professors & teachers
- e-mail contacts
- Higher Ed: adopt one school & focus on it
Establish better links between resources
Joan Johnston-Malin
Mike McCann
Karen Snetselar
Jeanne Narum
Bruce Grant
Challenges
How Higher Ed Could Help
-College Models: inquiry process
-Supply necessary equipment
-Coordinate (integrate) teaching of math & science
-Profs. come to K-12 schools
-Equipment comes w/knowledge of how to use it
Group 3
Best Ideas
"Ask your parents" survey at our studentís family
- K-16 resources (personal connections).
Jeanne ideas ó
-send our (univ) students home over break to talk to their
favorite K-12 teacher.
-put up big map in hall w/pins in it for where our alumni
are & what they are doing.
-ask Jeanne for more ideas !
PKAL Workshop on how to add and supplement to existing
NSF (or other)
research grants for K-12 teachers to come and learn.
Juan Buricaga
Mary Beth Davis
Kip Bollinger
Karen Cohen
Connie Blasie
Jack Schiller
More thematic, inquiry-based courses ó a way to bring the "university" experience to a school, sustained efforts
Equipment
More and better communication of what is going on
Solutions
Run summer institutes (like those run by Paul Grobstein)
- thematic-inquiry based visits
- web presence
Increase the level and intensity of university planning and presence of faculty and students in both K-12 and university environments.
-Establish a "Van" program, e.g., "Science in Motion"
-Hold workshops in instrument training
-Have "overseer" group like PKAL or other regional or university outreach groups survey schools to see who are the "haves" and "have nots" in a given school district like Philadelphia.
More Best Ideas
Two-way street ó develop a "shared vision", include school administration.
Reality check
-time
-isolation
-noise
-clutter
In-service training
-timing
Pre-service training: do training w/experienced teachers
-e.g., how kits can work in a class